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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

February 3, 1991 · Ercoupe Eng & Research 415C · N99483

Pixley, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 3, 1991
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Pixley, CA
Aircraft
Ercoupe Eng & Research 415C
Tail Number
N99483
Operator
Bill Tyson
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX91LA089

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT, WITH A PASSENGER, WAS CONDUCTING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS TO EVALUATE THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO A PURCHASE. THE PILOT HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 4 HOURS IN THE AIRPLANE IN THE PREVIOUS 7 DAYS. ON FINAL APPROACH AFTER EXECUTING SEVERAL TOUCH AND GO'S, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THEN QUIT. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN ALFALFA FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE AIRPLANE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF AN ANNUAL INSPECTION THAT WAS NOT COMPLETED. THE PREVIOUS ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 1988. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING. THE PILOT DID NOT INDICATE THE USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE DESCENT PHASE OF HIS LANDINGS. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO USE CARBURETOR HEAT IN CARBURETOR ICING CONDITIONS. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE MAKE AND MODEL.

Full Narrative

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT, WITH A PASSENGER, WAS CONDUCTING TOUCH AND GO LANDINGS TO EVALUATE THE AIRPLANE PRIOR TO A PURCHASE. THE PILOT HAD ACCUMULATED ABOUT 4 HOURS IN THE AIRPLANE IN THE PREVIOUS 7 DAYS. ON FINAL APPROACH AFTER EXECUTING SEVERAL TOUCH AND GO'S, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND THEN QUIT. THE PILOT MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN AN ALFALFA FIELD. DURING THE LANDING ROLL-OUT, THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A DITCH AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED. THE AIRPLANE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF AN ANNUAL INSPECTION THAT WAS NOT COMPLETED. THE PREVIOUS ANNUAL INSPECTION WAS IN NOVEMBER OF 1988. METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS WERE CONDUCIVE TO CARBURETOR ICING. THE PILOT DID NOT INDICATE THE USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT DURING THE DESCENT PHASE OF HIS LANDINGS. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS WERE FOUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 PST
Nearest AirportPIXLELY (1nm ESE)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftErcoupe Eng & Research 415C
Tail NumberN99483
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBill Tyson
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12-F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 36 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time22:48
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data