# NTSB SEA86FA239: Ercoupe 415-C, N99313, Auburn, WA, September 5, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1986, 21:30 local (Sep 5, 1986, 04:30 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, WA
- Coordinates: 47.31015, -122.21952 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.3102&lon=-122.2195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40304
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA239
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40304/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA239

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb
  - electrical system,ammeter - shorted (cause)
  - maintenance,replacement - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Fire, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE WAS CLIMBING AFTER A TOUCH AND GO, DURING THE CLIMB THE 'BLOWN FUSE' LIGHT CAME ON FOR THE GENERATOR. AFTER REPLACING THE FUSE SPARKS STARTED COMING FROM BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SMOKE FILLED THE COCKPIT AS THE PLT TRIED TO SMOTHER THE FLAMES. A 180 DEGREE TURN WAS INITIATED FOR A RETURN TO AUBURN. A SUCCESSFUL EMERGENCY LANDING WAS MADE. THE PLT EXITED THE ACFT AND RAN TO A TELEPHONE TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHO GOT THERE IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES. SUBSEQUENT INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE AMMETER FUSE CASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N99313](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N99313-1989-03-14), registration cancelled 1989-03-14, S/N 1936 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registry model: [Engineering & Research 415-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/engineering-research-415-c) (registry code 0420302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1936
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel L. Dotson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 1986
- Airport: S50, Auburn Municipal, runway 34, 3,400 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 93 total, 93 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BFI, 10 nm away

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.