Loss of Engine Power (Total): Ercoupe 415-C, N2585H; accident occurred October 17, 2019 near Pearland Regional Airport (KLVJ), Brazoria County, Texas

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Houston, Texas

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket  - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N2585H

Location: Alvin, TX

Accident Number: GAA20CA031

Date & Time: 10/17/2019, 1012 CDT

Registration: N2585H

Aircraft: Ercoupe 415

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot reported that, before departure, he fueled the airplane to full capacity (24 gallons). He added that, about 3 hours 36 minutes into the flight, upon descending to 2,000 ft, the engine began to run roughly. He reported that, for about 5 minutes, the engine fluctuated between running roughly and intermittently before quitting entirely. He decided to land in a subdivision. During the "high speed flare," he observed the left wing was approaching a light pole, so he "drove the yoke right." The airplane landed hard, and he applied hard braking. The right wheel hit the curb, and the right wing impacted a fence. He saw another light pole and added left yoke input. The airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that he examined the fuel tanks and found no visible signs of fuel.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, and an off-airport landing, during which the airplane landed hard and then ground looped. 

Findings

Aircraft

Fuel - Fluid level (Cause)

Personnel issues

Fuel planning - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues

Pole - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute

Fuel exhaustion

Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)

Landing

Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private

Age: 65, Male

Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land

Seat Occupied: Left

Other Aircraft Rating(s): None

Restraint Used:

Instrument Rating(s): None

Second Pilot Present: No

Instructor Rating(s): None

Toxicology Performed: No

Medical Certification: Sport Pilot

Last FAA Medical Exam:

Occupational Pilot: No

Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/02/2019

Flight Time:  (Estimated) 314.9 hours (Total, all aircraft), 62.4 hours (Total, this make and model), 314.9 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 20.3 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 20.3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3.6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Ercoupe

Registration: N2585H

Model/Series: 415 C

Aircraft Category: Airplane

Year of Manufacture: 1946

Amateur Built: No

Airworthiness Certificate: Normal

Serial Number: 2721

Landing Gear Type: Tricycle

Seats: 2

Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/01/2019, Annual

Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1260 lbs

Time Since Last Inspection:

Engines: 1 Reciprocating

Airframe Total Time: 3021.6 Hours at time of accident

Engine Manufacturer:Continental 

ELT: C91 installed, not activated

Engine Model/Series: A&C75

Registered Owner: On file

Rated Power: 85 hp

Operator: On file

Operating Certificate(s) Held: None 

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions

Condition of Light: Day

Observation Facility, Elevation: KLVJ, 44 ft msl

Distance from Accident Site: 5 Nautical Miles

Observation Time: 1453 UTC

Direction from Accident Site: 38°

Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear

Visibility:  10 Miles

Lowest Ceiling: None

Visibility (RVR):

Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots /

Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None

Wind Direction: 50°

Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A

Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg

Temperature/Dew Point: 16°C / 10°C

Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation

Departure Point: Sonora, TX (SOA)

Type of Flight Plan Filed: None

Destination: Houston, TX (LVJ)

Type of Clearance: None

Departure Time: 0636 CDT

Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:1 None 

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Passenger Injuries:N/A 

Aircraft Fire: None

Ground Injuries:N/A 

Aircraft Explosion: None

Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 29.451389, -95.302500 (est)

MANVEL, Texas — A pilot was not injured after crash landing his small plane in a subdivision in the Manvel area Thursday morning.

This happened in the Martha’s Vineyard subdivision just east of County Road 99 and Highway 6.

Troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety say the pilot was flying in from Senora and headed to the Pearland Airport when the plane ran out of fuel.

Witness video of the landing shows that the plane rolled once before coming to a stop.

Fortunately, the plane did hit any structures when it landed.

Story and video ➤ https://www.khou.com