# NTSB SEA83LA079: Erco 415C, N87110, Boring, OR, April 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1983, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Boring, OR
- Coordinates: 45.419528, -122.370704 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4195&lon=-122.3707&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): 39678
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39678/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA079

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - water (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
- Nose gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,nose gear assembly - overload (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH A FENCE AND COLLAPSED THE NOSE GEAR DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER THE ENGINE LOST POWER IN CRUISE FLIGHT. THE PILOT HAD DEPARTED OREGON CITY EARLIER TO FLY TO EVERGREEN AIRPORT TO FUEL THE AIRCRAFT AND THEN TO RETURN TO OREGON CITY. AFTER FUELING HE STARTED THE RETURN FLIGHT. EARLY IN THE FLIGHT THE ENGINE STARTED SPUTTERING. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN A PASTURE. THE ACFT HIT A FENCE AND THE NOSE GEAR DUG IN DURING ROLLOUT AND COLLAPSED. THE ACFT HAD BEEN PARKED OUTDOORS AT EVERGREEN DURING THE WINTER WITH ONLY 2 GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE MAIN WING TANKS. THE FUSELAGE TANK HAD BEEN KEPT FULL AND PROVIDED A TROUBLE-FREE FLIGHT TO EVERGREEN WHERE THE MAIN TANKS WER FILLED. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE GASCOLATOR BOWL WAS DRAINED AND YEILDED ABOUT A TEASPOON OF WATER. THE PILOT STATED HE KEPT MINUMUM FUEL IN THE WING TANKS AT OREGON CITY BECAUSE OF FUEL THEFT. HE HAD NOT CHECKED THE TANKS FOR WATER AFTER FUELING. NO WATER WAS FOUND IN THE EVERGREEN FUEL SUPPLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N87110](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N87110-2005-07-19), registration cancelled 2005-07-19, S/N 283, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ERCO 415C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-415-c) (registry code 0420302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C75 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c75-series) (registry code 17005, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 283
- Airframe hours: 1639
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dale Lorentson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: VANCOUVER, WA
- Destination: OREGON CITY, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 85 total, 35 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19830404012179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830404012179A), Apr 4, 1983: Univar 415C, Boring, OR, Substantial damage. Lost power. Undershot a planned emergency landing in a pasture and struck a fence. Water in fuel from condensation.

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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