Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C accident near Pemberton, New Jersey, August 17, 2004
On August 17, 2004 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C, registered N3771H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pemberton, New Jersey (Pemberton Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 17, 2004 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Pemberton, New Jersey · Pemberton Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registration
- N3771H · registry record · serial 4396
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot conducted a preflight inspection, and the airplane's right fuel tank was filled to "one inch from the top." The pilot then conducted a run-up check of the engine, and taxied the airplane into position for takeoff. The takeoff proceeded normally until about 200 feet above the ground. As the airplane began to pass above trees beyond the departure end of the runway, there was a total loss of engine power. The airplane then settled into the trees, spun 180-degrees, and fell to the ground in a nose-down attitude, coming to rest upside down. The pilot and the passenger both observed fuel running out of the header tank. An examination of the airplane's engine and fuel system revealed no mechanical anomalies, and calculations revealed no probability of carburetor icing.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C75 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 3N7 Pemberton NJ at 4:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 2,568 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 120 ft; a few clouds at 30 ft
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from WRI, 5 miles away
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.