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NTSB Report
March 23, 1985 · Ercoupe Eng & Research 415-D · N99677
Sussex, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 23, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Sussex, NJ
Aircraft
Ercoupe Eng & Research 415-D
Tail Number
N99677
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC85LA089
THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENG PWR DURING CLIMB SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE FORCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED. THE PLT REPORTED THE ENG COUGHED AND LOST PWR, HOWEVER, WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS PUMPED, PWR RETURNED. PWR WAS THEN LOST ONCE AGAIN WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS MOVED TO THE FULL OPEN POSITION. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AND ENG REVEALED THE FUEL PRIMER WAS UNLOCKED AND SLIGHTLY PULLED BACK. SEVERAL SPARK PLUGS WERE SOOT COVERED AS WAS THE INSIDE OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. A FUEL SAMPLE TAKEN FROM THE ACFT WAS BROWN IN COLOR AND CONTAMINATED WITH WATER. AFTER REPAIRING SOME DAMAGE INCURRED IN THE ACCIDENT AND REPLACING A WORN START CLUTCH, THE ENG WAS STARTED AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY.
Full Narrative
THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENG PWR DURING CLIMB SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE FORCED LANDING WHICH RESULTED. THE PLT REPORTED THE ENG COUGHED AND LOST PWR, HOWEVER, WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS PUMPED, PWR RETURNED. PWR WAS THEN LOST ONCE AGAIN WHEN THE THROTTLE WAS MOVED TO THE FULL OPEN POSITION. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE ACFT AND ENG REVEALED THE FUEL PRIMER WAS UNLOCKED AND SLIGHTLY PULLED BACK. SEVERAL SPARK PLUGS WERE SOOT COVERED AS WAS THE INSIDE OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. A FUEL SAMPLE TAKEN FROM THE ACFT WAS BROWN IN COLOR AND CONTAMINATED WITH WATER. AFTER REPAIRING SOME DAMAGE INCURRED IN THE ACCIDENT AND REPLACING A WORN START CLUTCH, THE ENG WAS STARTED AND IT OPERATED NORMALLY.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:00 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftErcoupe Eng & Research 415-D
Tail NumberN99677
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · UNKNOWN · Reciprocating
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 5 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time16:30
Weather SourcePILO