ERCOUPE 415
Saint Martin Island, MI — July 18, 2015
Event Information
| Date | July 18, 2015 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN15LA346 |
| Event ID | 20150811X91854 |
| Location | Saint Martin Island, MI |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 45.60528, -87.15694 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | ERCOUPE |
| Model | 415 |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The failure of a connecting rod bearing, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
Full Narrative
On July 18, 2015, about 1910 eastern daylight time, an Ercoupe 415 airplane, Canadian registration C-FGGS, lost engine power during cruise flight near Saint Martin Island, Michigan. The airline transport rated pilot was not injured and the airplane was substantially damaged during the forced landing. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a cross-country flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The airplane departed Newberry, Michigan, at 1800, and was destined for Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
According to the pilot, while in cruise flight, the engine lost oil pressure. Shortly after losing oil pressure, the engine lost power and seized. The pilot then selected a beach for the forced landing. During the landing, the nose gear collapsed, and the left wing and fuselage were substantially damaged.
The wreckage was recovered for further examination. An engine maintenance facility examined the engine and reported that the number one connecting rod bearing had failed and the camshaft was broken. The facility added that the camshaft seizure was consistent with a loss of oil pressure due to the number one connecting rod bearing failure.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.