Undetermined · NTSB WPR14LA100
ERCOUPE 415 C — Poulsbo, WA
| Date | January 20, 2014 |
| Location | Poulsbo, WA |
| Aircraft | ERCOUPE 415 C |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Prior to flight Preflight or dispatch event |
| Pilot age | 70 |
| Pilot total time | 1,837 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | 30 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Inspection-Preflight inspection-Pilot - C
- Aircraft-Fluids/misc hardware-Fluids-Oil-Fluid level - C
- Personnel issues-Physical-Health/Fitness-Physical fitness-Pilot
- Personnel issues-Physical-Health/Fitness-Predisposing condition-Pilot
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Forgotten action/omission-Pilot - C
What happened
During the approach for an attempted forced landing into a clearing, the airplane struck trees and then collided with the ground in a nose-down attitude. The pilot sustained serious injuries during the impact but was able to call 911 on his cell phone. He subsequently died from complications related to his injuries about 2 weeks later.
Postaccident examination revealed that the engine oil filler cap had not been secured. The oil filler neck and cap were intact and undamaged. Due to the engine's design, the engine oil filler cap was located at a low point on the engine; therefore, failure to secure the cap would have resulted in a rapid expulsion of engine oil and a subsequent engine seizure. Engine examination found damage consistent with oil exhaustion and engine seizure, and the aft section of the engine compartment was coated with oil, which extended out of the cowling and onto the airplane's belly.
The pilot was operating without a valid medical certificate; the Federal Aviation Administration had denied his medical application 3 years before the accident due to a diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome. Although no evidence was found indicating that this medical condition was casual to the accident, it likely contributed to the pilot's death because it hindered his recovery from otherwise nonlife-threatening injuries.