Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C N87131

Summary

On 16 April 1983 at about 20:12 local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C registered N87131, operated by Jerry Wilson, was involved in an accident near Prague, Oklahoma, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. No probable cause statement is available for this record.

Date

16 April 1983 at 20:12

Classification

Accident

Location

Prague, Oklahoma, United States

Coordinates

35.4809, -96.6900

Aircraft

Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C

Registration

N87131

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Jerry Wilson

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Ferry

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Gainesville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

FTW83LA206

1 person had minor injuries.

The NTSB has not published a probable cause for this record. No probable cause statement is present in the source data.

Nothing about the cause is stated here that is not in the source record.

Read the full NTSB narrative

AFTER PURCHASING THE ACFT, THE NEW OWNER (A STUDENT PLT) HAD ASKED HIS UNCLE (REPORTEDLY AN EXPERIENCED PLT) TO FLY HIS ACFT HOME. DURING THE FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT LEVELED OFF AT 4000 FT MSL (APRX 3000 FT AGL). THERE WAS NO SUITABLE LANDING AREA, SO THE PLT STALLED THE ACFT INTO THE TOPS OF THE TREES. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH WATER. SPRING LOADED VALVES IN THE FUEL PUMP EFFECTIVELY TRAPPED THE WATER IN THE PUMP AFTER THE ENG STOPPED RUNNING. A FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT WAS OVERDUE FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION & NO FERRY PERMIT HAD BEEN ISSUED. ALTHOUGH THE PLT HAD REPORTEDLY BEEN FLYING FOR MANY YEARS, HE POSSESSED NO FAA PLT OR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.