Accident Details
On July 27, 2014, about 1045 Pacific daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, registration N2013H, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after the pilot reported a loss of engine power while in cruise flight near Susanville, California. The commercial pilot and a passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The local flight had departed Rogers Field Airport (O05) in Chester, California, about 0940.
Search and Location
A family member reported the airplane overdue to local law enforcement on the afternoon of July 27, 2014, after becoming concerned when the pilot had not arrived at his planned destination. The Federal Aviation Administration issued an Alert Notification for the missing airplane. The wreckage was located by law enforcement personnel about 1922 on July 27, 2014, in rugged terrain.
Pilot Statement
In a written statement to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot stated that during the first flight leg that day, the airplane primer was used during a cold engine start. The next flight was the accident leg, and due to the short period the engine was shut down, the primer was not used for engine start during this leg. On the accident flight, while cruising about 6,500 feet mean sea level, the pilot began a slow climb to cross a ridgeline. As he pushed the throttle up, the engine did not respond. After pumping the throttle numerous times, the engine responded, but the airplane had lost altitude and airspeed, and he was forced to land in a wooded area. Subsequently, the passenger and he egressed and hiked to safety.
Investigation Findings
Utilizing weather conditions at the nearest reporting station, the density altitude was calculated by the investigator-in-charge to be about 9,240 feet for the cruise altitude at the time of the accident flight. An examination of the airplane wreckage was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector at the accident site. The airplane's fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. All major structural components were present. The inspector observed that the engine primer plunger was in the unlocked and extended position. The primer plunger was undamaged and would appropriately lock when the lugs were engaged. Additionally, the recently installed spark plugs were removed and observed to be dark in color. No additional anomalies were observed that would preclude normal operation of the engine. The airplane's manual starting cockpit checklist states to use the primer 2 to 6 strokes and then to lock the primer plunger.