SEA90LA017

1989-11-18 · VANCOUVER, Washington, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 59S

Aircraft involved

N3354H Ercoupe (Eng & Research Corp.) 415D None

Probable cause & findings

THE PILOT'S INADVERTANT LEANING OF THE FUEL MIXTURE TO NEAR IDLE CUTOFF, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO QUIT.

Factual narrative

DURING INITIAL CLIMB AT 200 FT AGL AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE QUIT. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN AN OPEN FIELD, AND UPON TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE FAA INSPECTOR WHO EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE, REPORTED THE MAGNETO SWITCH WAS ON BOTH, THE MIXTURE CONTROL WAS NEAR IDLE CUTOFF AND THE CARB HEAT CONTROL WAS FULL FORWARD IN THE COLD POSITION. THE MIXTURE CONTROL WAS LOCATED NEXT TO THE CARB HEAT CONTROL. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_1989_SEA90LA017.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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