On July 20, 1996, an Ercoupe (eng & Research Corp.) 415-C (registration N2915H) was involved in an aviation accident near Page, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The inoperative fuel transfer pump, which prevented fuel from being transferred from the wing tanks to the fuselage tank, resulting in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported running out of fuel approximately five miles from the airport, resulting in a loss of power and a subsequent forced landing on a narrow dirt road adjacent to the airfield.
What happened
The pilot reported that the aircraft experienced a loss of power while flying approximately five miles from the airport. The cause was identified as fuel exhaustion. Unable to maintain engine operation, the pilot executed a forced landing on a narrow dirt road located off the airport property.
The investigation
Post-incident analysis revealed that the fuel transfer pump was inoperative. This mechanical failure prevented the transfer of fuel from the wing tanks to the fuselage tank, which is the primary source supplying fuel to the engine. Consequently, the engine starved for fuel despite fuel remaining in the wing tanks.
Findings
The inability to utilize available fuel reserves was directly linked to the failed fuel transfer pump. The pilot's account confirms that the system failure made it impossible to move fuel from the wing tanks to the fuselage tank, leading to the power loss and subsequent forced landing.
Probable cause
The inoperative fuel transfer pump, which prevented fuel from being transferred from the wing tanks to the fuselage tank, resulting in fuel exhaustion and a forced landing.