Probable cause
Water contamination of the fuel system due to the pilot's inadequate preflight and failure to adequately drain the water from the fuel system.
NTSB analysis
The pilot fueled the airplane, sumped the wing tanks, and departed. The engine lost power at the end of the runway on climb out. He made a forced landing on the grass infield of the airport. The nose wheel went into a gopher hole, and the airplane nosed forward. Post crash examination established that the firewall sustained damage. The pilot reported that he also found water in the gascolator, and that the water most likely got into the fuel system during recent rains. He opined that a more thorough preflight could have prevented the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for LAX08CA094 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Mar 20, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Riverside, California
- Nearest airport
- Flabob (RIR)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-D
- N-number
- N3942H
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.