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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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October 23, 1983 · Ercoupe Eng & Research 415-CD · N3630H

Compton, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 23, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Compton, CA
Aircraft
Ercoupe Eng & Research 415-CD
Tail Number
N3630H
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX84FA028

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS ON TAKEOFF & WAS DEMOLISHED IN THE IMPACT SEQUENCE & POST CRASH FIRE. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL INTERVIEWEES THE PILOT HAD PERFORMED EXTENSIVE NON-STC'D MODIFICATIONS TO THE ACFT INCLUDING THE FUEL SYSTEM.AN 'AUTOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE COMPUTER' REQUIRING A FUEL FLOW TRANSDUCER WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, WOULD NOT WORK ON A GRAVITY FED SYSTEM. A FUEL PUMP FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FUEL TRANSFER DUMP DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE OUTPUT FLOW TO ZERO AT ITS MAXIMUM OUTPUT LINE PRESSURE OF 4.5 PSI. THE TRANSDUCER WOULD HAVE REDUCED THE FUEL OUTPUT FLOW TO A 'TRICKLE'.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT EXPERIENCED A TOTAL POWER LOSS ON TAKEOFF & WAS DEMOLISHED IN THE IMPACT SEQUENCE & POST CRASH FIRE. ACCORDING TO SEVERAL INTERVIEWEES THE PILOT HAD PERFORMED EXTENSIVE NON-STC'D MODIFICATIONS TO THE ACFT INCLUDING THE FUEL SYSTEM.AN 'AUTOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE COMPUTER' REQUIRING A FUEL FLOW TRANSDUCER WHICH, ACCORDING TO THE MANUFACTURER, WOULD NOT WORK ON A GRAVITY FED SYSTEM. A FUEL PUMP FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FUEL TRANSFER DUMP DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE OUTPUT FLOW TO ZERO AT ITS MAXIMUM OUTPUT LINE PRESSURE OF 4.5 PSI. THE TRANSDUCER WOULD HAVE REDUCED THE FUEL OUTPUT FLOW TO A 'TRICKLE'.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:20 PDT
Nearest AirportCOMPTON (0nm W)
Runway25L
Runway Length3670 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftErcoupe Eng & Research 415-CD
Tail NumberN3630H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C90-16F · Reciprocating · 95
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 66 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:49

Appendix: Source Data