# NTSB NYC87LA224: Ercoupe 415-C, N99236, York, PA, August 9, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 9, 1987, 09:11 local (13:11 UTC)
- Place: York, PA
- Coordinates: 39.999084, -76.770271 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9991&lon=-76.7703&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30713
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA224
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30713/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA224

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission(marked) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - uphill (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ERCOUPE MODEL 415 EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER IN FLIGHT. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A FIELD. HE WENT UNDER SOME POWER LINES, HOWEVER, HE COULD NOT AVOID THE TELEPHONE LINES AND WENT THROUGH THEM. THE PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES AND THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE CAUSE OF THE POWER LOSS WAS TRACED TO A BROKEN NO. 3 CONNECTING ROD IN THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99236](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99236-2004-01-08), registration cancelled 2004-01-08, S/N 1859, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registry model: [Ercoupe 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ercoupe-415-c) (registry code 0420322) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1859
- Airframe hours: 2485
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard Summers
- Registered owner: Richard L Summers
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1987
- Departed: THV, YORK, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 300 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 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 19870809082509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870809082509A), Aug 9, 1987: Univar 415C, York, PA, Substantial damage. Engine threw a connecting rod. Aircraft struck wires and crashed on the forced landing.

## Other investigations on N99236 (2)

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 MIA02LA021](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA02LA021), Nov 18, 2001: Ercoupe 415-C (N99236), Southern Pines, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The dislodging of the front crankshaft oil seal for undetermined reasons resulting in loss of engine oil, loss of engine power, and collision with a tree and then the ground during a forced landing.
- [NTSB FTW00LA213](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW00LA213), Jul 14, 2000: Ercoupe 415-C (N99236), Stephenville, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The collision with a bird while in cruise flight.

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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