# NTSB NYC85LA089: Ercoupe 415-D, N99677, Sussex, NJ, March 23, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 23, 1985, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Sussex, NJ
- Location: 41.2088° N, 74.6082° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Sussex, NJ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2088&lon=-74.6082&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35848
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35848/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA089

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, climb - to cruise
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - powerplant controls - improper, pilot in command
- Forced landing, landing

## Analysis

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENG PWR DURING CLIMB SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE FORCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED. THE PLT REPORTED THE ENG COUGHED AND LOST PWR, HOWEVER, WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS PUMPED, PWR RETURNED. PWR WAS THEN LOST ONCE AGAIN WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS MOVED TO THE FULL OPEN POSITION. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AND ENG REVEALED THE FUEL PRIMER WAS UNLOCKED AND SLIGHTLY PULLED BACK. SEVERAL SPARK PLUGS WERE SOOT COVERED AS WAS THE INSIDE OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. A FUEL SAMPLE TAKEN FROM THE ACFT WAS BROWN IN COLOR AND CONTAMINATED WITH WATER. AFTER REPAIRING SOME DAMAGE INCURRED IN THE ACCIDENT AND REPLACING A WORN START CLUTCH, THE ENG WAS STARTED AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99677](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99677-2013-05-31), registration cancelled 2013-05-31, S/N 2300, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2300
- Airframe hours: 2300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL UNKNOWN reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Carl Lastella
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: SUSSEX, NJ

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,500 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 5 knots

## 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 19850323011529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850323011529A), Mar 23, 1985: Univar 415C, Sussex, NJ, Substantial damage. Emergency landing after power loss during takeoff. Fuel primer found slightly pulled out. Water found in fuel.

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.

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