On September 3, 1982, an Ercoupe 415C (registration N87141) operated by Austin/schweitzer/murphy was involved in an aviation accident near Englewood, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The threaded coupling between the gascolator and carburetor failed from fatigue. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During traffic pattern downwind, crew detected strong fuel odor; then considerable power loss. Engine ran at reduced power but sink rate prevented reaching runway. Aircraft nosed over on uneven terrain. Fatigue failure found in threaded coupling between gascolator and carburetor.
Incident Description
While the aircraft was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern, the aircrew detected a strong odor of fuel. Seconds later, a considerable loss of power occurred. The engine continued to operate at reduced power, but the resulting sink rate was too great to allow the aircraft to reach the runway. During the subsequent landing on uneven terrain, the aircraft nosed over.
Investigation Findings
An investigation into the incident revealed that a threaded coupling between the gascolator and carburetor had failed. The failure was attributed to fatigue. This component failure likely allowed fuel to escape, leading to the fuel odor and subsequent power loss.
Probable cause
The threaded coupling between the gascolator and carburetor failed from fatigue.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the 3 Sept 1982 Ercoupe 415C accident near Englewood, CO?
During traffic pattern downwind, crew detected strong fuel odor; then considerable power loss. Engine ran at reduced power but sink rate prevented reaching runway. Aircraft nosed over on uneven terrain. Fatigue failure found in threaded coupling between gascolator and carburetor.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 3 Sept 1982 involved an Ercoupe 415C, registration N87141, operated by Austin/schweitzer/murphy, at Englewood, CO.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The threaded coupling between the gascolator and carburetor failed from fatigue.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…