While searching for an Ercoupe to buy, I've become concerned about the level of engine maintenance and repair, and about what seems like a "rash" of accidents in the last few months. So, I studied the NTSB database to try to get a handle on the real situation. Here's what I found.
There have been 39 investigated Ercoupe crashes in the last 5 years. I picked that time span because it matches, roughly, the time that the Light Sport rules have been in effect. Of the 39 crashes, 5 had fatalities, totaling 8 people. Of the 39, 38 were in 415 models. 15 were the result of engine failures, 3 of which had to do with items that the NTSB blamed on AP error. Anyone have thoughts about how to make sure one's engine doesn't quit? Jim H.
