Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C accident near Frankfort, Michigan, March 11, 1994
On March 11, 1994 at about 1:45 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C, registered N2965H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Frankfort, Michigan (Frankfort airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT AND FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE AIRSPEED. A FACTOR WAS FUEL CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 11, 1994 · about 1:45 pm local time
- Place
- Frankfort, Michigan · Frankfort · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registration
- N2965H · no longer on the register · serial 3590
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS AT 100 FEET AGL DURING TAKEOFF ON A FLIGHT TO DELIVER THE AIRPLANE FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION WHEN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER OCCURRED. DURING THE FORCED LANDING, THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND CONTACTED THE RUNWAY IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE AUTO GAS STC APPROVED AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. DURING PREFLIGHT WITH THE AIRPLANE PARKED ON A SLOPE, NO WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE TANKS AND A PALE 1/2 INCH LAYER AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CLEAR GASCOLATOR BOWL WAS REPORTED BY THE PILOT. INSPECTION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ACCIDENT REVEALED APPROXIMATELY 1/4 INCH OF ICE INSIDE THE GASCOLATOR. FUEL SAMPLES FROM THE TANKS REVEALED WATER AND PARTICULATES.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 835 hours in all; 725 in this make and model; 720 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,735 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 28, 1992; 42 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-90-12F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: GRR Grand Rapids MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 14, 3,240 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 25°F (-4°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:50 pm from GRR, 100 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.