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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 9, 2001 · Erco 415-C · N1121J

Ivins, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 9, 2001
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Ivins, UT
Aircraft
Erco 415-C
Tail Number
N1121J
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN01LA065

The pilot said there was an intermittent loss of engine power during cruise flight. He suspected carburetor icing "since the Stromberg carburetor, standard [equipment] on the Ercoupe 415C, is prone to icing," and he immediately applied carburetor heat. The carburetor air temperature gauge indicated 10 degrees C. The engine "continued a pattern of power off/power on/power off in cycles of 4 or 5 seconds." He left the carburetor heat on but soon realized that his rate of descent left insufficient altitude to arrive at the destination airport. He landed on rough desert terrain, extensively damaging both wings and the nose and left main landing gears. According to the Carburetor Icing Graph, a temperature of 12 degrees C. and a dew point of 4 degrees C. [as reported by the nearest weather observation station] could result in serious icing at glide power, and a temperature of 10 degrees C. (as reported by the pilot) could result in serious icing at cruise power.

NTSB Probable Cause

The unsuitable terrain on which to make a forced landing. A contributing factors was the carburetor icing conditions.

Full Narrative

On March 9, 2001, approximately 1645 mountain standard time, an Erco 415-C Ercoupe, N1121J, owned and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during a forced landing at Ivins, Utah. The private pilot, the sole occupant aboard, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Hurricane, Utah, approximately 1600. According to the pilot's accident report, he departed Hurricane, Utah, and was en route to St. George, Utah, with a "fly-over" at the town of Ivins, where he lived. After circling Ivins and turning towards St. George, there was an "intermittent loss of [engine] power." He suspected carburetor icing "since the Stromberg carburetor, standard [equipment] on the Ercoupe 415C, is prone to icing," and he immediately applied carburetor heat. The engine "continued a pattern of power off/power on/power off in cycles of 4 or 5 seconds." He left the carburetor heat on but soon realized that his rate of descent left insufficient altitude to arrive at St. George. He turned back towards Ivins but was forced to land on rough desert terrain. The nose and left main landing gears struck a dirt berm. The nose gear was bent back and both wings were extensively damaged. The pilot told an FAA inspector that when the engine lost power, the carburetor air temperature gauge indicated 10 degrees C. According to the Carburetor Icing Graph (see public docket), a temperature of 12 degrees C. and a dew point of 4 degrees C. [as reported by the St. George METAR (aviation routine weather report)] could result in "serious icing at glide power," and a temperature of 10 degrees C. (as reported by the pilot) could result in "serious icing at cruise power."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:45 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftErco 415-C
Tail NumberN1121J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · C-85-12 · Reciprocating · 85
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 65 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 12 kt, gusting 17 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 10000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 39 C
Altimeter29.70 inHg
Observation Time23:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data