CAA: GA News, "Accident Reports"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@cwnet.com>]

Friday, March 31, 2000

Ercoupe’s shoddy electrical system blamed for crash that killed two
Accident Reports
GA News


These 1997 Accident Reports are provided by the National Transportation
Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, they are intended to help
pilots learn from the misfortune of others.

Aircraft: Ercoupe 415D.

Location: Pacoima, California.

Injuries: Two fatal.

Aircraft damage: Destroyed.

What reportedly happened: The pilot was on a downwind departure when he
declared an emergency and requested an immediate landing. After he was
cleared to land his aircraft on any runway, he turned a close base entry to
his departure runway, and the turn continued into a descending spiral into
the ground. Tower personnel said they saw smoke trailing from the aircraft
at the time of the emergency. Post-accident examination revealed an
improperly installed electrical system, which lacked circuit protection and
proper use of aviation type wire. Inspection of the aircraft maintenance
logbooks revealed the plane was certified in 1946 and had undergone several
modifications.

Probable cause: Improper installation and maintenance of electrical wiring,
the lack of circuit protection, and subsequent in-flight electrical fire.

***

Aircraft: Cessna 172P.

Location: Cleveland, Oklahoma.

Injuries: None.

Aircraft damage: Significant.

What reportedly happened: The pilot, who is also an A&P mechanic, installed
and torqued a new helicoil and spark plug. A satisfactory engine run-up was
completed, but during takeoff climb, at 300 feet AGL, “the engine popped and
lost power,” the pilot said. He executed a 180° turn and “landed fast
downwind.” During the landing roll, the aircraft overran the end of the
runway, encountered a rut and flipped over, damaging both wings. An
examination of the airplane revealed that the newly installed spark plug was
hanging by its ignition wire.

Probable cause: The spark plug separated from the engine due to the
pilot/mechanic’s improper installation. A factor was the unsuitable terrain
in the runway overrun.

***

Aircraft: Hiller UH-12E.

Location: Glide, Oregon.

Injuries: Minor.

Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: While maneuvering his helicopter to finish off the
aerial application of chemicals on a field of Christmas trees, the pilot
accidentally flew into a power transmission line that ran across the center
of the field. According to the pilot, he knew the power line was there, but
he had trouble seeing it because of the overcast sky.

Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from a power line.
Factors included ambient light conditions, which made the power line hard to
see.

***

Aircraft: Cessna 150J.

Location: La Valle, Wisconsin.

Injuries: None.

Aircraft damage: Substantial.

What reportedly happened: The pilot made a forced landing in a flat,
snow-covered field after his aircraft’s engine lost power. The airplane
nosed over, sustaining substantial damage. A post-crash investigation of the
aircraft turned up no usable fuel. The engine started after a gallon and a
half of avgas was added to the tanks.

Probable cause: The pilot’s inadequate pre-flight planning and preparation
led to fuel exhaustion. A factor was the snow-covered terrain.

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