Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C accident near Madera, California, December 9, 1990
On December 9, 1990 at about 9:50 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C, registered N3080H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Madera, California. 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
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO A PLUGGED VENT LINE, AFFECTING THE ABILITY OF THE SYSTEM TO TRANSFER FUEL TO THE MAIN TANK.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 9, 1990 · about 9:50 pm local time
- Place
- Madera, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C
- Registration
- N3080H · no longer on the register · serial 3705
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT OF A ENGINEERING RESEARCH 415-C AIRCRAFT EXPERIENCED ENGINE FAILURE DURING CRUISE. THE PILOT STATED HE NOTICED THE FUEL SIGHT GAUGE ON THE FUSELAGE FUEL TANK GOING DOWN MORE RAPIDLY THAN NORMAL. AT THIS TIME HE STARTED DOWN TO LAND AT MADERA, CALIFORNIA; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE QUIT AND HE WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE AIRPORT. INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED A PLUGGED VENT LINE ON THE RIGHT FUEL TANK. THERE WAS AN UNQUANTIFIED AMOUNT OF FUEL REMAINING IN THE LEFT FUEL TANK.
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: single-engine land
- Flight time: 850 hours in all; 850 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85-12F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 045 Vacaville CA at 7:40 pm
- Destination: L45 Bakersfield CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°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.