Ercoupe 415 N2275H accident near Hallettsville, Texas

Probable cause

The partial loss of engine power due to contaminated fuel and carburetor ice.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was making a cross-country flight and reported that, about 1 hour into the flight, the engine began to “rattle” and “vibrate.” The engine lost power but remained running with about 1,000 RPMs. The pilot recognized that the airplane could not maintain altitude and executed a forced landing in a field. Upon landing, the airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the forward underside of the fuselage. No mechanical anomalies were found with the engine.

The cockpit fuel selector was found in the left fuel tank position. Contaminated fuel was found in the left-wing tank. The source of the fuel contamination could not be determined.

The carburetor was heavily soiled. Murky fuel and sediment were present in the gascolator sediment bowl. The airplane was operating in conditions that were conducive to serious carburetor icing at descent power. However, the carburetor heat knob in the cockpit was not engaged. The combination of contaminated fuel and possible carburetor icing likely resulted in the partial loss of engine power.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20LA170 for the full record.