Ercoupe 415 accident near Torrance, California, February 25, 2020
On February 25, 2020 at about 8:20 pm local time, a 1946 Ercoupe 415, registered N3437H, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Torrance, California (Zamperini Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial loss of power due to a malfunction of the throttle cable, which limited movement of the throttle body.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 25, 2020 · about 8:20 pm local time
- Place
- Torrance, California · Zamperini Field · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Ercoupe 415 C, built 1946 · all 415s on the register
- Registration
- N3437H · registry record · serial 4062
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
While the pilot was conducting touch-and-go takeoffs and landings, the airplane’s engine lost partial power about 200 ft above ground level and began surging. The pilot performed a 90° left turn to land on a taxiway. After touchdown, the airplane veered left and collided with two parked airplanes. Examination revealed that manipulation of the throttle control in the cockpit did not correspond with the complete butterfly valve deflection in the throttle body. The limited motion of the throttle cable was likely the result of the movement of the cable’s outer housing (sheath) and/or loose rigging resulting in the cable bowing.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel control/carburetor › Malfunction
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine fuel and control › Fuel controlling system › Inoperative
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 581 hours in all; 350 in this make and model; 5 in the last 90 days; 2.4 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: February 25, 2018
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,749.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 7, 2020; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental Motors C-85 (piston); 1,749 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TOA Torrance CA at 8:00 pm
- Destination: TOA Torrance CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29R, 5,001 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on December 22, 2021. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Mechanic Examination Report | PDF, 25 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Fuel System Description and Service Bulletins | PDF, 15 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photograph Array (Photos Provided by the Mechanic Who Performed Examination) | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Record of Conversation | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.