On July 13, 2004, an Ercoupe 415-D (registration N3837H) was involved in an aviation accident near Santa Clarita, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's inadequate planning/decision by his inadequate evaluation of the weather resulting in an attempt to conduct flight beyond the aircraft's climb performance capability. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot made a precautionary landing in a field after the aircraft could not climb due to high engine temperatures and density altitude exceeding 5,300 feet.
Incident Overview
A pilot conducted a precautionary landing in a field after the airplane collided with a rock during the landing. The flight had encountered performance issues while climbing in mountainous terrain.
Sequence of Events
The pilot departed when the ambient temperature was about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. As the flight progressed northbound and the airplane climbed toward mountainous terrain, temperatures exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit. When the airplane reached approximately 2,500 feet mean sea level (MSL), it would not climb further, and the engine temperature gauge indicated 240 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot attempted to return to a nearby airport but could not attain the altitude needed to transition through a mountain pass. He subsequently made a precautionary landing in a field, during which the airplane collided with a rock.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector performed a post-accident test-run on the engine, and it operated normally. The density altitude at the accident site was calculated to be in excess of 5,300 feet.