# NTSB SEA90LA017: Ercoupe 415D, N3354H, Vancouver, WA, November 18, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 18, 1989, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Vancouver, WA
- Coordinates: 45.630081, -122.520072 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6301&lon=-122.5201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41149
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA90LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41149/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA90LA017

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADVERTANT LEANING OF THE FUEL MIXTURE TO NEAR IDLE CUTOFF, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUIT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - mixture - inadvertent use, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB AT 200 FT AGL AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, AND UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE FAA INSPECTOR WHO EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE, REPORTED THE MAGNETO SWITCH WAS ON BOTH, THE MIXTURE CONTROL WAS NEAR IDLE CUTOFF AND THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS FULL FORWARD IN THE COLD POSITION. THE MIXTURE CONTROL WAS LOCATED NEXT TO THE CARB HEAT CONTROL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3354H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3354H-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 3979, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415D
- 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: 3979
- Airframe hours: 2900
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-F-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald C. Jeffery
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 9, 1988, 80 hours before
- Airport: 59S, Evergreen, runway 28, 2,545 × 42 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 95 total, 52 in this make and model, 131 in the last 90 days, 130 in the last 30 days, 129 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 4 nm away

## 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 19891118045789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891118045789A), Nov 18, 1989: Univar 415D, Vancouver, WA, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout, landed in a field and nosed over. Apparently pulled mixture instead of carb heat. Engine ok

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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