I was a bit shocked by your query, I just bought an Ercoupe BECAUSE it had a reliable engine! Keep in mind you are looking at 64 year old planes, most of which they were considered useless and sat around for years in barns etc. Mine is not so different, 1300 hours total in 64 years! The LSA thing of course brought many out of the barns and up for sale, often without all the systems checks one would like. Our engine maker recommends an overhaul after so many years, even if it has not even been used! Sitting is hell on top ends too. I have had a few planes in my life, and I am still amazed by the simple foolproof systems the Ercoupes use. I know of none other that are so foolproof. Most of the accidents I look at, someone did something very stupid to cause it. The simple fact that there are so many coupes still flying should be considered some proof of their safety.
--- In [email protected], Jim <j...@...> wrote: > > Given who I'm writing to, I realize this may generate some heated > discussion. Nonetheless, I really am looking for helpful input. > > I've been considering buying an Ercoupe for over a year. What has kept > me from doing it? Frankly, what appears to be poor engine reliability. > Many of the planes for sale have had major overhauls or top overhauls > long before the TBO. In some cases, top overhauls have been required > after a few hundred hours. > > Then, there are the in-flight problems and outright failures. According > to the NTSB investigation database, there have been 76 Ercoupe accidents > in the last decade accounting for 16 fatalities. Of those, accidents, 58 > were engine related and accounted for 14 of the 16 fatalities. That > means that, on average, there are almost 8 Ercoupe accidents a year, 6 > of which can be attributed to engine issues that result in more than 1 > death. In addition, we know there are engine problems that don't result > in accidents, such as the guy who reported that his prop fell off > (broken crankshaft) but he was close enough to his destination airport > to land safely. > > So, why are these engines having problems? Are they being over-driven? > Is the oil not being changed often enough? Is it the lack of factory-new > parts, i.e. used parts that are beyond their safe life? > > I really want to understand what's going on 1) so that if I buy an > Ercoupe, I can be reasonably sure the engine won't, given proper care, > quit on me, and 2) so I know what kind of use and care the engine needs > to keep it reliable? Or, are these C-75 and C-85 engines just not > reliable no matter what you do, due to design or age or whatever? > > Regards, > Jim Hart >
