Ercoupe 415-C, N2275H: Accident occurred April 30, 2020 in Hallettsville, Lavaca County, Texas

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Houston, Texas

https://registry.faa.gov/N2275H

Location: Hallettsville, TX
Accident Number: CEN20LA170
Date & Time: 04/30/2020, 1430 CDT
Registration: N2275H
Aircraft: Ercoupe 415
Injuries:1 None 
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

On April 30, 2020, about 1430 central daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N2275H, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in and accident near Hallettsville, Texas. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that he departed from Uvalde, Texas (UVA), about 1330 and his intended destination was Eagle Lake, Texas (ELA). About an hour into the flight, about 7 miles from the Hallettsville Airport (34R), the airplane began to vibrate and lose engine power. The pilot tried to analyze the problem by reducing engine power and looked for a place to land. The pilot realized that he could not hold altitude and reach the nearby airport (34R). While maneuvering to avoid power lines, the pilot landed the airplane in an open field. During the forced landing the airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward part of the fuselage. The pilot exited the airplane uninjured and called for help.

Initial examination of the airplane wreckage conducted by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector showed that the left fuel tank was nearly empty. Fuel samples taken showed and unmeasured amount of contamination in the fuel. A follow-up examination of the engine and wreckage is planned when the airplane is moved out of the field and to a secure location.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Ercoupe
Registration: N2275H
Model/Series: 415 C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built: No
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: ELA, 183 ft msl
Observation Time:  CDT
Distance from Accident Site: 35 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: Calm / ,
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility:  10 Miles
Altimeter Setting: 30.2 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Uvalde, TX (UVA)
Destination: Eagle Lake, TX (ELA)

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: 29.698333, -97.005278 (est)