Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415-C accident near Roseburg, Oregon, April 22, 2005

The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record

The pilot-rated passenger (aircraft owner) reported that he did not hold a current medical certificate, therefore the private pilot in the right seat who was current was acting as pilot-in-command, however, the aircraft owner was at the controls at the time of the takeoff. The pilot/owner reported that the pre-flight check and start-up were normal. A magneto check with 1,800 rpm noted that the right magneto dropped about 75 rpm and the left magneto dropped about 100 rpm, which he reported as normal. At the time of takeoff, the aircraft attained an altitude of about 100 feet above ground level, when the engine began to gradually lose power, "like someone pulled the throttle or the throttle linkage broke." The pilot/owner initiated a forced landing to a grape vineyard. During the landing roll, the aircraft experienced a nose gear collapse, the firewall was damaged as well as the leading edge of the wings. The engine was inspected then prepared for an engine run. The engine was found to start right up and a magneto check was accomplished finding that the left magneto produced a 300 rpm drop. The magnetos were then placed on a test bench. Both magnetos produced a spark from all towers up to 3,000 rpm. The ignition harness test found no anomalies. No evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction was found with the 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.