NTSB Factual Report

On January 28, 2017, about 1020 mountain standard time, an Ercoupe model 415-C single-engine airplane, N94694, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after a total loss of engine power during cruise flight near Butterfield, Texas. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a positioning flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight. The flight originated from Cavern City Air Terminal (CNM), Carlsbad, New Mexico, about 0856. The intended destination was Deming Municipal Airport (DMN), Deming, New Mexico.

The pilot reported that he was positioning the airplane from Texas to California for the current owner who had recently purchased it. The airplane was topped-off with fuel (24 gallons total) before the accident flight. The pilot reported that the airplane experienced a total loss of engine power about 1 hour 24 minutes after takeoff. His corrective actions were unsuccessful in restoring engine power and a forced landing was made to a nearby dirt road. He reported that during landing roll the airplane's left wing struck a small Yucca tree, which subsequently spun the airplane 180 degrees into a berm. The airplane's left wing and twin vertical stabilizers were substantially damaged during the accident. The pilot reported that, after the accident, the header fuel tank was empty and the two wing fuel tanks contained at least 7 gallons each.

The entire airplane was recovered to a secured location where a detailed examination will be conducted.