History of Flight
On November 29, 20121, at about 1715 central standard time, an Ercoupe 415-C (converted to a –D model), registration N720RC, collided with power lines and impacted parked trucks at Woodhouse Ford, Truck Mountain, 2546 S. Highway 30, just south of Blair, Nebraska. The pilot, the sole occupant, was deceased. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Scribner State Airport (KSCB), Scribner, Nebraska, about 1630, and was destined for KBTE.
Six witnesses interviewed by the Blair Police Department reported seeing a low-flying airplane strike power lines on the edge of the auto dealership parking lot with its landing gear. A flash of light was observed, and the airplane descended nose down into several parked trucks. When witnesses reached the airplane, there was no response from the pilot. One witness noted a strong odor of fuel but did not see any fuel leaking. The accident site was about 7.5 miles north of Blair Municipal Airport (KBTE).
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 92, held a private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine land and rotorcraft-helicopter ratings. He was issued a limited third class airman medical certificate on June 28, 2011, valid for 12 calendar months. On his last medical application, he estimated 5,400 hours total flight time. His last flight review was completed on April 22, 2012.
Aircraft Information
N720RC (serial number 3658), a model 415-C (converted to a –D model), was manufactured by the Engineering and Research Corporation (ERCO) in 1946. It was equipped with a used Continental C-75 engine (serial number 1263612) installed in 2002, driving a 2-blade, all-metal, fixed-pitch McCauley propeller.
The last annual inspection was performed on December 18, 2011, at a tachometer time of 679.69 hours. At that time, airframe total time was 1,132.4 hours. At the accident site, the tachometer read 706.50 hours (1,159.2 hours total airframe time), with 26.81 hours since the last annual inspection. The previous annual inspection was on March 2, 2000. The previous owner told FAA inspectors that the airplane had flown 300 hours in the past 35 years.
Meteorological Information
Weather recorded at KBTA at 1715: wind 140 degrees at 4 knots; visibility 10 statute miles; sky clear; temperature 9°C; dew point 2°C; altimeter 29.92 inches of mercury.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane struck power lines on a magnetic heading of 360 degrees. The nose landing gear was located 38 feet, and the right main landing gear 66 feet, from the power lines. The airplane impacted several parked trucks 130 feet from the power lines on a magnetic heading of 087 degrees.
Medical and Pathological Information
According to CAMI’s toxicology report, no carbon monoxide, ethanol, or drugs were detected. Cyanide testing was not performed. The autopsy report attributed death to severe coronary arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis (quadruple vessel disease). The NTSB medical officer noted arteriosclerosis throughout the main coronary arteries: the main coronary artery, the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery, and the right coronary artery had pinpoint lumens due to atherosclerotic plaques, and the circumflex branch was completely occluded. The death certificate listed cause of death as severe coronary arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis.
Tests and Research
On January 24, 2013, the engine was partially disassembled and examined at Beegles Aircraft Service, Greeley, Colorado. The oil dipstick was covered with black oil. Removal of the Nos. 1 and 3 spark plugs showed normal wear; the bottom spark plugs were somewhat oil fouled. The rocker arms, push rods, cylinder heads, pistons, piston rings, connecting rods, crankshaft, and camshaft were intact and consistent with normal wear. The intake and exhaust valves were free. No anomalies were noted with the carburetor or air box. The oil screen was covered with thick black oil.
FAA inspectors at the accident site found the spark plugs fouled and the engine oil black. They also found the primer was unlocked and said it had been so for some time. The engine was only 26.8 hours since the last annual inspection, which did not note an oil change.