# NTSB WPR09LA251: Ercoupe 415C, N2339H, San Manuel, AZ, May 15, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 15, 2009, 11:40 local (18:40 UTC) - Place: San Manuel, AZ - Coordinates: 32.635276, -110.64167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6353&lon=-110.6417&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73871 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA251 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73871/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73871 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA251 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power during cruise flight for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Engineering & Research 415-C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0420302), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot reported that while en route on the solo cross-country flight, the engine began to lose power and subsequently quit. He was able to restart the engine, but not able to maintain altitude due to the low power it was producing. The pilot performed an off airport landing and during the landing roll, the airplane struck desert vegetation, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and wings. A postaccident inspection of the engine revealed no mechanical problems that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On May 15, 2009, about 1140 mountain standard time, an Engineering and Research (Ercoupe) 415C, N2339H, experienced a total loss of engine power during cruise flight and the pilot made a forced landing on a rough dirt strip near San Manuel, Arizona. The student pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and wings during the landing roll out and subsequent impact with desert vegetation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 cross-country flight that departed a private dirt strip in Punkin, Arizona. No flight plan had been filed for the flight that was destined for San Manuel Airport (E77), San Manuel. The incident was upgraded to an accident on May 19, 2009, following an inspection of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector. The FAA inspector reported that the engine mounts had broken, the firewall and fuselage were wrinkled, and there was deformation of the both wings. In an interview with the FAA inspector, the pilot reported that he was on a solo flight when the engine lost power. He made the emergency landing on an abandoned dirt airstrip, and the airplane received substantial damage due to the rough, uneven terrain, and impact with desert vegetation. The student pilot returned the Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1); however, the report did not include a written statement as to the circumstances surrounding the accident. The pilot did however, provide a written statement to his insurance adjuster reporting that the engine lost partial power and then quit. According to that report, the pilot was able to restart the engine, but it only achieved 1,000 rpm's. FAA inspectors reviewed the student pilot's logbook and his student pilot certificate. Both the logbook and certificate showed the same endorsements; a solo flight in the accident airplane on September 20, 2008, and a solo cross-country flight on September 29, 2008. According to the maintenance records, the last annual inspection of the airplane, and the last 100-hour inspection performed on the engine, was on May 9, 2006. An inspection of the engine was performed by a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator, and a participant from Teledyne Continental Motors. During the inspection, no obvious mechanical problems were noted. The propeller assembly along with the propeller blades sustained damaged. The induction system separated from the engine, and the fuel strainer was about 80 percent full with a cloudy liquid. Mechanical continuity was established throughout the engine. Crankshaft rotation produced thumb compression in each cylinder, with accessory gear and valve train continuity established. Both magnetos remained attached at their respective mounting pads. During rotation of the crankshaft, investigators noted impulse coupling engagement and spark visible at theterminal ends; they also reported that the ignition harness was not damaged. The fuel pump was disassembled, with no damage to the diaphragm present. The upper spark plugs were removed and the cylinders were borescoped. The upper spark plugs exhibited light gray deposits consistent with normal operation. The combustion chambers and piston heads showed a heavy white deposit. The valve heads were not damaged, and no signs of abnormal thermal discoloration were noted. The carburetor was removed and disassembled. Manual operation of the carburetor throttle and mixture linkage arms revealed no binding. The inlet screen was removed with a light amount of debris noted; the bowl was free of debris. The fuel filter was also removed and had some restriction when air was blown into it. According to the engine manufacturer, there were no abnormalities found during the engine inspection that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2339H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2339H-2012-04-30), registration cancelled 2012-04-30, S/N 2964, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ERCOUPE 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: 2964 - Engines: Teledyne Continental Motors C-75 85 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Punkin, AZ - Destination: E77, San Manuel, AZ - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: Private Dirt Strip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 27; injuries: none; student; medical: sport pilot, unknown; flight hours: 101 total, 40 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: DMA, 31 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 20090515007069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090515007069A), May 15, 2009: Univar 415C, Mammoth, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) The student pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft was conducting a part 91 VFR cross country flight from punkin center, AZ to san manuel airport, san… ## Other investigations on N2339H (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 NYC75FHJ23](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC75FHJ23), Dec 15, 1974: Erco 415-D (N2339H), Shirley, NY, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 20, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73871. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 598 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316272&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Reports from Federal Agencies - FAA Synopsis (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334569&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Reports%20from%20Federal%20Agencies%20-%20FAA%20Synopsis-Redacted.PDF - Excerpt Aircraft Logbook (item 3, .PDF, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40334570&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Excerpt%20Aircraft%20Logbook-Redacted.PDF - Report from TCM (item 4, .PDF, 918 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40342176&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Report%20from%20TCM-Redacted.PDF 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.