Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) E accident near Winnemucca, Nevada, June 29, 1999
On June 29, 1999 at about 7:57 pm local time, a Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) E, registered N3640H, was substantially damaged in an accident near Winnemucca, Nevada. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An improperly installed and maintained float needle in the carburetor, which would not seat sufficiently to stop fuel flow and caused the engine to run excessively rich, resulting in a complete loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 1999 · about 7:57 pm local time
- Place
- Winnemucca, Nevada · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) E
- Registration
- N3640H · no longer on the register · serial 4265
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was flying about 6,500 feet agl when his engine dropped to 500 rpm. He manipulated the primer and the engine rpm began to fluctuate. The engine then quit. The pilot performed a forced landing in an open field and collided with ground obstructions. The aircraft was examined following the accident. The fuel tanks were about half full. The carburetor was examined further. When the carburetor was flow tested, fuel was seen dripping from the discharge nozzle after the fuel was turned on, indicating that the float needle was not seating properly, which could cause the engine to run excessively rich. The float needle was not properly torqued in the bowl assembly. Further, small pieces of brass appeared to have exfoliated around the top of the needle-seating surface. The needle appeared to have been altered from its original configuration. No other mechanical problems were noted with the aircraft or engine.
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
- Flight time: 78 hours in all; 78 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days; 22 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,109 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, August 11, 1998; 78 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental C-85 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 06U Jackpot NV at 6:00 pm
- Destination: WMC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: not recorded; clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:56 pm from WMC
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.