Summary
On July 20, 1996, a Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-C (N2915H) was involved in an incident near Page, AZ. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: Decision of the pilot to operate the airplane with an inoperative transfer pump and inaccurate fuel consumption calculations.
On July 20, 1996, at 1654 hours mountain standard time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N2915H, collided with some high vegetation and the terrain after an in-flight loss of power near the Page, Arizona, airport. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Kayenta Airport, Kayenta, Arizona, about 1600 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
The pilot indicated to the Page airport manager that the fuel transfer pump was inoperative and he was unable to transfer fuel from the wing tanks to the fuselage tank, which supplies fuel to the engine.
This incident is documented in NTSB report LAX96LA282. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2915H.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
decision of the pilot to operate the airplane with an inoperative transfer pump and inaccurate fuel consumption calculations.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On July 20, 1996, at 1654 hours mountain standard time, an Ercoupe 415-C, N2915H, collided with some high vegetation and the terrain after an in-flight loss of power near the Page, Arizona, airport. The airplane was being operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Kayenta Airport, Kayenta, Arizona, about 1600 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
The pilot indicated to the Page airport manager that the fuel transfer pump was inoperative and he was unable to transfer fuel from the wing tanks to the fuselage tank, which supplies fuel to the engine. The pilot departed Grants, New Mexico, earlier in the day and flew about 1 hour, landed, and transferred the fuel. He indicated that he had previously landed at Ganado, Arizona, and Kayenta, and planned to land at Page.
The pilot reported that he ran out of fuel and the plane lost power about 5 miles from the airport. The pilot landed on a narrow dirt road. The road cut through uneven terrain and the left wing struck vegetation on the higher shoulder of the road during the landing roll. The airplane veered left off the road and damaged the airplane's left wing and tail cone.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX96LA282