Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C accident near Rubidoux, California, July 28, 1991
On July 28, 1991 at about 7:55 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C, registered N94385, was destroyed in an accident near Rubidoux, California (Flabob airport). It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE MECHANIC'S IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE MAGNETOS AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN FLYING SPEED. FACTORS RELATED TO THIS ACCIDENT ARE THE PILOT'S INADVERTENT STALL AND THE RESIDENTIAL AREA.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 28, 1991 · about 7:55 pm local time
- Place
- Rubidoux, California · Flabob · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415C
- Registration
- N94385 · no longer on the register · serial 1608
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT WAS DEPARTING THE AIRPORT ON A LOCAL VFR MAINTENANCE TEST FLIGHT. THE AIRPORT IS SITUATED IN A HIGHLY CONGESTED AREA WITH A TREE LINE AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE HAD JUST BEEN RESTORED AND THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT IN 19 YEARS. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE BEGAN TO BACKFIRE AND THEN QUIT. THE AIRPLANE ENTERED INTO A RIGHT BANK, STALLED AND CRASHED INTO A RESIDENCE'S BACKYARD. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT BOTH MAGNETO HOLD-DOWN NUTS WERE LOOSE AND THE ENGINE TIMING COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE LEFT MAGNETO WOULD ONLY PRODUCE SPARK IN ONE LEAD AND THE RIGHT MAGNETO WOULD NOT FIRE WHEN THEIR RESPECTIVE DRIVE WERE HAND ROTATED. THE MAGNETOS OPERATED NORMALLY WHEN TESTED WITHOUT THE ENGINE'S IGNITION HARNESS.
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: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 12,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,316 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 17, 1991; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,260 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.