# NTSB NYC85LA211: Ercoupe Ercoupe 415-C, N3431H, Del Mar, NY, August 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 14, 1985, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Del Mar, NY
- Coordinates: 42.619911, -73.829711 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6199&lon=-73.8297&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): 35946
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35946/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA211

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb - to cruise
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,piston - movement restricted (cause)
- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, descent - emergency
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - engine assembly,piston - overtemperature (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS REPOSITION THE ACFT AT THE REQUEST OF THE NEW OWNER WHO WAS NOT A RATED PLT. WHILE CLIMBING THRU 2000 FT AGL THE PLT REPORTED HEARING THE ENGINE GROWL AND FELT A LOSS OF POWER. DURING A PRECAUTIONARY DESCENT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A CORN FIELD. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED TWO SIEZED PISTONS AND HEAT DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. THE TWO REMAINING CYLINDERS THAT WERE NOT DAMAGED APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RECENTLY REPLACED WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE LOGBOOK NOTATIONS. THE ACFT HAD BEEN PURCHASED TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THE SELLER REFUSED TO FLY THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3431H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3431H), registered now, S/N 4056, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) ERCOUPE 415-C (ERCOUPE 41)
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420312) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4056
- Airframe hours: 1800
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12F 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John Borst
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1985, 10 hours before
- Departed: SCH, SCHENECTADY, NY
- Destination: 4B0, SOUTH BETHLEHEM, NY
- Airport: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 616 total, 350 in this make and model, 582 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 70 °F

## 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 19850814038769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850814038769A), Aug 14, 1985: Univar 415C, Delmar, NY, Substantial damage. Loss of power after engine growled. Landed in a field. Two pistons seized. Unreflected maintenance on engine.

## Other investigations on N3431H (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC66D0074](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC66D0074), Jul 9, 1965: Ercoupe 415C (N3431H), Mattituck, NY, substantial damage

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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