Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C accident near Prague, Oklahoma, April 16, 1983
On April 16, 1983 at about 8:12 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C, registered N87131, was substantially damaged in an accident near Prague, Oklahoma. It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 16, 1983 · about 8:12 pm local time
- Place
- Prague, Oklahoma · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registration
- N87131 · no longer on the register · serial 304
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
AFTER PURCHASING THE ACFT, THE NEW OWNER (A STUDENT PLT) HAD ASKED HIS UNCLE (REPORTEDLY AN EXPERIENCED PLT) TO FLY HIS ACFT HOME. DURING THE FLT, THE ENG LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER THE PLT LEVELED OFF AT 4000 FT MSL (APRX 3000 FT AGL). THERE WAS NO SUITABLE LANDING AREA, SO THE PLT STALLED THE ACFT INTO THE TOPS OF THE TREES. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH WATER. SPRING LOADED VALVES IN THE FUEL PUMP EFFECTIVELY TRAPPED THE WATER IN THE PUMP AFTER THE ENG STOPPED RUNNING. A FURTHER INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ACFT WAS OVERDUE FOR AN ANNUAL INSPECTION & NO FERRY PERMIT HAD BEEN ISSUED. ALTHOUGH THE PLT HAD REPORTEDLY BEEN FLYING FOR MANY YEARS, HE POSSESSED NO FAA PLT OR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE.
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
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Unknown
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-75-12 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: GLE Gainesville TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 315° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.