N415WPEngineering & Research ERCOUPE 415-C · 1946

On June 22, 2019 at 0951 EDT, an Ercoupe 415C airplane, N415WP, impacted in a swamp near North Central State Airport (SFZ), Smithfield, Rhode Island, following a total loss of engine power. The sport pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to a private individual and operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight within the light sport aircraft category. Day visual meteorological conditions were reported at the accident site and along the route of flight about the time of the accident. The flight originated from North Central State Airport (SFZ), Rhode Island, and was destined for Southbridge Municipal Airport (3B0), Massachusetts.

The pilot was about midway between SFZ and 3B0 when he detected the odor of hot oil. He elected to return to SFZ and land. While on approach to land there was a total loss of engine power and the propeller stopped turning. The pilot landed in a swamp short of the approach end of the runway. The left wing separated from the fuselage during the landing.

The wreckage examination was limited due to damage to the airplane and water immersion. The responding FAA inspector was able to verify the engine rotated and compression was present at each cylinder. Oil was drained from the engine crankcase during recovery. Murky water was present in fuel samples taken from the wreckage and the fuel filter was contaminated by water and slime. The fuel control valve was found in the ON position and the carburetor heat knob was found in the IN/OFF position. The carburetor was impact-separated from the engine. Based on the evidence available, no anomalies were noted with the engine or airframe and the source of the oil smell was not identified.

Weather at SFZ at 0950 was reported as temperature 21° C, dewpoint 13° C, wind 320° at 9 kts, altimeter 29.79. According to the FAA carburetor icing chart the weather conditions were conducive to serious carburetor icing at glide power.