Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C N99236

Summary

On 18 November 2001 at about 18:24 local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C registered N99236, operated by William K. Johnson, was involved in an accident near Southern Pines, North Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

18 November 2001 at 18:24

Classification

Accident

Location

Southern Pines, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

35.2369, -79.3914

Aircraft

Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp ) 415-C

Registration

N99236

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

William K. Johnson

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Parkton → Sothern Pines

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA02LA021

Nobody was injured.

The dislodging of the front crankshaft oil seal for undetermined reasons resulting in loss of engine oil, loss of engine power, and collision with a tree and then the ground during a forced landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that prior to takeoff he added 1.2 quarts of oil to fill the engine oil tank and then did a short test flight over his home airport. After the test flight he found no evidence of engine oil leakage from the engine. At 1250 he departed Parkton for Southern Pines. When about 10 miles from the Southern Pines Airport, the engine began to run rough. He continued toward the airport. The engine oil temperature began to climb and the engine oil pressure began to drop. The engine lost power and they could not make it to the airport. While making a forced landing on a golf course, the left wing collided with a tree and the airplane descended and collided with the ground. Postcrash examination of the airplane by an FAA Inspector showed the propeller had damage consistent with very slow rotational speed at ground impact. The engine cowling and bottom side of the engine had oil spray on it. The engine oil tank contained no oil. Examination of the engine by an FAA Inspector at an engine overhaul facility showed the front crankshaft seal was dislodged and allowed oil to escape from the engine at a substantial rate when the engine oil system was pressurized. No obstructions in the engine case vent system were found that would have caused over pressurization of the engine case. The reason for the dislodge crankshaft seal was not determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.