Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C N99924

Summary

On 31 October 1998 at about 19:30 local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C registered N99924 was involved in an accident near Hartselle, Alabama, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 October 1998 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Hartselle, Alabama, United States

Coordinates

34.4291, -86.9298

Aircraft

Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C

Registration

N99924

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA99LA025

1 person was seriously injured.

Improper modification of the carburetor float by maintenance personnel resulting in the float sticking in the full needle valve open position and failure of the engine due to excessive fuel flow.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The engine lost power as the pilot turned onto the downwind leg for landing. As the pilot approached a field for landing, the aircraft collided with a power line and then the ground. Postcrash examination of the engine showed it was operating with an excessive rich fuel mixture. The carburetor float was found stuck in the full needle valve open position due to excessive solder on the float fulcrum contacting the bowl wall. The carburetor had been recently modified by installing a new style needle valve, which also required the addition of weight to the float fulcrum with solder.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.