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| Date: | Thursday 20 March 2008 |
| Time: | 13:30 LT |
| Type: |  ERCO 415-D Ercoupe |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N3942H |
| MSN: | 4643 |
| Engine model: | Continental C-85 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Riverside, California -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Landing |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Riverside/Rubidoux/-Flabob Airport, CA (KRIR) |
| Santa Monica Airport, CA (SMO/KSMO) | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
The pilot fueled the airplane, sumped the wing tanks, and departed. The engine lost power at the end of the runway on climb out. He made a forced landing on the grass infield of the airport. The nose wheel went into a gopher hole, and the airplane nosed forward. Post crash examination established that the firewall sustained damage. The pilot reported that he also found water in the gascolator, and that the water most likely got into the fuel system during recent rains. He opined that a more thorough preflight could have prevented the accident.
Probable Cause: Water contamination of the fuel system due to the pilot's inadequate preflight and failure to adequately drain the water from the fuel system.
Sources:
NTSB LAX08CA094
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 03-Oct-2022 07:19 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
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