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NTSB Report
August 14, 1985 · Ercoupe Eng & Research Ercoupe 415-C Ercoupe 41 · N3431H
Del Mar, NY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 14, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Del Mar, NY
Aircraft
Ercoupe Eng & Research Ercoupe 415-C Ercoupe 41
Tail Number
N3431H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC85LA211
THE PLT WAS REPOSITION THE ACFT AT THE REQUEST OF THE NEW OWNER WHO WAS NOT A RATED PLT. WHILE CLIMBING THRU 2000 FT AGL THE PLT REPORTED HEARING THE ENGINE GROWL AND FELT A LOSS OF POWER. DURING A PRECAUTIONARY DESCENT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A CORN FIELD. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED TWO SIEZED PISTONS AND HEAT DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. THE TWO REMAINING CYLINDERS THAT WERE NOT DAMAGED APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RECENTLY REPLACED WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE LOGBOOK NOTATIONS. THE ACFT HAD BEEN PURCHASED TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THE SELLER REFUSED TO FLY THE ACFT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS REPOSITION THE ACFT AT THE REQUEST OF THE NEW OWNER WHO WAS NOT A RATED PLT. WHILE CLIMBING THRU 2000 FT AGL THE PLT REPORTED HEARING THE ENGINE GROWL AND FELT A LOSS OF POWER. DURING A PRECAUTIONARY DESCENT THE ENGINE SEIZED AND THE PLT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A CORN FIELD. INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED TWO SIEZED PISTONS AND HEAT DAMAGE THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE. THE TWO REMAINING CYLINDERS THAT WERE NOT DAMAGED APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN RECENTLY REPLACED WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE LOGBOOK NOTATIONS. THE ACFT HAD BEEN PURCHASED TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND THE SELLER REFUSED TO FLY THE ACFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftErcoupe Eng & Research Ercoupe 415-C Ercoupe 41
Tail NumberN3431H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C85-12F · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind5 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter0
Observation Time17:00
Weather SourcePILO