N94413

Substantial
Serious

Ercoupe 415-GS/N: 5045

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
NTSB Number
CHI08CA208
Location
West Jefferson, OH
Event ID
20080826X01323
Coordinates
39.880756, -83.440048
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The improper preflight planning/preparation by the pilot and the loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion during takeoff. Contributing factors were the pilot’s expired flight review and airman medical, the aircraft weight and balance exceeded by the pilot, and the trees.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N94413
Make
ERCOUPE
Serial Number
5045
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1950
Model / ICAO
415-GERCO
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
BROWN CHARLES H
Address
9445 PRINGLE BENJAMIN RD
Status
Deregistered
City
LONDON
State / Zip Code
OH 43140-8871
Country
United States

Analysis

The airplane impacted trees and terrain during takeoff about 500 feet from the departure end of a private grass airstrip during a personal flight that was en route to obtain fuel at the destination airport. The airplane wings were crushed rearward along the leading edge, the empennage was separated from the airframe, and the firewall was wrinkled. The airplane was not equipped with shoulder harnesses. The pilot sustained serious injuries that included a broken right arm and left leg and the passenger sustained serious facial and ankle injuries. Examination of the airplane revealed there was no usable fuel in either wing tank and header tank. Also, there was no residual fuel in the header tank to engine fuel lines. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane's center of gravity, with no usable fuel aboard, was aft of its limit. The pilot's fight review and medical certificate were expired at the time of the accident.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CHI08CA208