Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C N2965H
11 March 1994 · Frankfort, Michigan, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 11 March 1994 at about 13:45 local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C registered N2965H, operated by William J. Gras, was involved in an accident near Frankfort, Michigan, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 13:45
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Frankfort, Michigan, United States
- Nearest airport
- Frankfort (3D4)
- Coordinates
- 44.6306, -86.2309
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C
- Registration
- N2965H
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- William J. Gras
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → Grand Rapids
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CHI94LA103
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. A FACTOR WAS FUEL CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON TAKEOFF.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT WAS AT 100 FEET AGL DURING TAKEOFF ON A FLIGHT TO DELIVER THE AIRPLANE FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION WHEN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CONTACTED THE RUNWAY IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE AUTO GAS STC APPROVED AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. DURING PREFLIGHT WITH THE AIRPLANE PARKED ON A SLOPE, NO WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE TANKS AND A PALE 1/2 INCH LAYER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CLEAR GASCOLATOR BOWL WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT. INSPECTION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED APPROXIMATELY 1/4 INCH OF ICE INSIDE THE GASCOLATOR. FUEL SAMPLES FROM THE TANKS REVEALED WATER AND PARTICULATES.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Aug 1994 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415C | Scriba, New York, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 May 1994 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415D | Boynton Beach, Florida, United States | Nicks, David G. | Minor injuries | - |
| 17 Mar 1994 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C | Stallion Spring, California, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 1 Oct 1994 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C | Cloverdale, Indiana, United States | Blaydoe, John B. | No injuries | - |
| 28 May 1994 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-E | Warrenton, Virginia, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 17 Apr 1993 | Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C | Helena, Montana, United States | Wilhelm, Clayton D. | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jun 1994 | Cessna 172N | Lambertville, Michigan, United States | Davis College | Minor injuries | - |
| 30 Jun 1994 | Beechcraft 19 | Ionia, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jul 1994 | Hunsberger GLASAIR | Lapeer, Michigan, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 1994 | Beechcraft K35 | Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States | Richard J. van Lente | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 1994 | Cessna T210M | Beaver Island, Michigan, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 1 Jul 1994 | Cessna 441 | Flint, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |