Accident Overview
On October 6, 2017, at approximately 1415 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415-C, registration N3538H, experienced a partial loss of engine power after takeoff and subsequently made a forced landing near Penns Cave Airport (N74) in Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Pilot Actions and Conditions
The pilot reported that after takeoff from N74, the airplane climbed to about 200 feet above ground level when it experienced an "appreciable" loss of engine power. The flight controls became "sluggish," and the airplane would no longer climb. The engine was operating at approximately 2,000 rpm, which was 275 rpm below the nominal full-power setting of 2,275 rpm at takeoff. The pilot elected to perform a forced landing to a field directly off the departure end of the runway. During the landing roll, the airplane struck fences, resulting in substantial damage to both wings.
Pilot Information
The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single-engine land. His most recent FAA third-class medical certificate was issued on December 30, 2015. He reported 276 total hours of flight experience, with 121 hours in the Ercoupe.
Aircraft Information
According to FAA records, the airplane was manufactured in 1946 and powered by a Continental C75-12F 75-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine. Its most recent annual inspection was completed on November 12, 2016, at 1,712.8 total aircraft hours. Examination of maintenance records showed that the first engine logbook entry was dated October 22, 2001, at the completion of an annual inspection, reflecting 34.6 hours since major overhaul. At the most recent annual inspection, the entry reflected 147.6 hours since major overhaul. The engine accrued 113 hours between October 2001 and November 2016, with an hourly interval between annual inspections of about 10 hours.
Weather Conditions
At 1253, weather recorded at University Park Airport (UNV), State College, Pennsylvania, 11 miles west of N74, included an overcast ceiling at 2,400 feet, wind from 190° at 5 knots, temperature 20°C, dew point 17°C, and altimeter setting 30.12 inches of mercury.
Wreckage Examination
The wreckage was examined at the accident site by an FAA inspector. All major components were accounted for. Both wings were substantially damaged. The left, right, and fuselage fuel tanks were intact and contained fuel. Flight control, engine control, and fuel system continuity were confirmed. The engine crankshaft was rotated by hand at the propeller, and compression was confirmed on all cylinders except the No. 2 cylinder using the thumb method. Removal of the No. 2 cylinder valve cover revealed the No. 2 exhaust valve in the open (compressed) position without rocker-arm contact. The valve remained in the open position through several rotations of the crankshaft.
Additional Information
According to the Continental Engines, Maintenance Manual, Standard Practice for Spark Ignited Engines, the recommended overhaul interval for C75-series engines was every 1,800 hours or every 12 years.