Accident Overview
On July 18, 2015, at approximately 1910 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415 airplane, Canadian registration C-FGGS, experienced a loss of engine power during cruise flight near Saint Martin Island, Michigan. The pilot, who held an airline transport rating, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the subsequent forced landing.
The flight was operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The airplane had departed Newberry, Michigan, at 1800, with a planned destination of Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, while in cruise flight, the engine lost oil pressure. Shortly after the loss of oil pressure, the engine lost power and seized. The pilot selected a beach for the forced landing. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed, and substantial damage occurred to the left wing and fuselage.
Post-Accident Examination
The wreckage was recovered for further examination. An engine maintenance facility examined the engine and reported that the number one connecting rod bearing had failed and the camshaft was broken. The facility added that the camshaft seizure was consistent with a loss of oil pressure due to the number one connecting rod bearing failure.
Damage Summary
The airplane was substantially damaged. Specific damage included the collapsed nose gear, as well as damage to the left wing and fuselage.