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July 23, 2008 · Ercoupe 415-G · N94413

West Jefferson, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 23, 2008
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Location
West Jefferson, OH
Aircraft
Ercoupe 415-G
Tail Number
N94413
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI08CA208

The airplane impacted trees and terrain during takeoff about 500 feet from the departure end of a private grass airstrip during a personal flight that was en route to obtain fuel at the destination airport. The airplane wings were crushed rearward along the leading edge, the empennage was separated from the airframe, and the firewall was wrinkled. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. The pilot sustained serious injuries that included a broken right arm and left leg and the passenger sustained serious facial and ankle injuries. Examination of the airplane revealed there was no usable fuel in either wing tank and header tank. Also, there was no residual fuel in the header tank to engine fuel lines. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane's center of gravity, with no usable fuel aboard, was aft of its limit. The pilot's fight review and medical certificate were expired at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The improper preflight planning/preparation by the pilot and the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion during takeoff. Contributing factors were the pilot’s expired flight review and airman medical, the aircraft weight and balance exceeded by the pilot, and the trees.

Full Narrative

The airplane impacted trees and terrain during takeoff about 500 feet from the departure end of a private grass airstrip during a personal flight that was en route to obtain fuel at the destination airport. The airplane wings were crushed rearward along the leading edge, the empennage was separated from the airframe, and the firewall was wrinkled. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. The pilot sustained serious injuries that included a broken right arm and left leg and the passenger sustained serious facial and ankle injuries. Examination of the airplane revealed there was no usable fuel in either wing tank and header tank. Also, there was no residual fuel in the header tank to engine fuel lines. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane's center of gravity, with no usable fuel aboard, was aft of its limit. The pilot's fight review and medical certificate were expired at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:50 EDT
Nearest AirportPRIVATE (0nm)
Runway36
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo

Aircraft

AircraftErcoupe 415-G
Tail NumberN94413
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200 · Reciprocating

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 serious injury, 1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

Appendix: Source Data