# NTSB NYC82DA201: Ercoupe 415C, N3366H, Gardner, MA, August 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1982, 10:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Gardner, MA
- Location: 42.5842° N, 71.9887° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Gardner, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5842&lon=-71.9887&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70809
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70809/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA201

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, cruise - normal
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - engine accessories,engine starter - overload (contributing factor)
  - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,nose gear - overload

## Analysis

THE ENGINE LOST POWER DURING FLIGHT AND THE PILOT ENGAGED THE STARTER WITH THE PROP WINDMILLING. THE STARTER GEAR WAS FOUND SHATTERED AND THE STARTER GEAR TEETH WERE SCATTERED THROUGH VARIOUS PARTS OF THE ENGINE. NO REASON WAS FOUND FOR THE ORIGINAL ENGINE POWER LOSS. DURING A FORCED LANDING, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3366H (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 415C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3991
- Airframe hours: 1708
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jack Bussiere
- Registered owner: Jack Bussiere
- Departed: GARDNER, MA
- Destination: GARDNER, MA
- Airport: Gardner Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 211 total, 42 in this make and model, 179 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 30 statute miles

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820816067049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820816067049A), Aug 16, 1982: Univar 415C, Gardner, MA, Substantial damage. Engine quit. Crash landed. Cam shaft gear broke. Pilot tried restart by using starter with windmilling. Broke gears

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.