N99893 in Russia

[Coert Munk]

Hi all,   The info on N99893 in Russia made me search for details that I have of Eurcoupes (as I named the Ercoupes in Europe). I'm preparing a story on these aircraft, including the history of the individual planes. I might add the following info, please comments on incorrect info and additions where possible.   Some extra info on the N99893 C/n 2516 is an  ERCO 415C Ercoupe. The Coupe was registered as NC99893 later N99893, once owned by D.W. Woolard in Castroville CA. Details that I know of the aircraft are: First flight after fitting of Continental O-200 engine was on 1 May 1991. Few days later the a/c was written off in forced landing after engine failure (5 May 1991). The wreck plus original O-75 (?) engine was donated to "Russian Ercoupe Project". The Coupe was rebuilt at Emily Griffith Opportunity School in Denver CO using front fuselage, canopy and tail assembly of ERCO 415C Ercoupe N87390 (c/n 563) donated by Terry Hutter, Boulder CO). After restoration the aircraft was donated to former aerobatics champion Vitas Lapenas at Marana AZ on 10 October 1992 and ferried to New York-JFK by Wayne Woolard. Airfreighted to Frankfurt (Germany), reassembled and ferried to Vilnius. At the time the aircraft is registered as LY-ALI to Vitas Lapenas, Vilnius since 1993, recently I heard that the plane did fly much since then.   The NTSB report on the crash of 5-5-91 states:   NTSB Identification: LAX91LA196 For details, refer to NTSB microfiche number 44911A Accident occurred MAY-05-91 at KING CITY, CA Aircraft: ERCOUPE 415C, registration: N99893 Injuries: 1 Minor. WHILE CRUISING DURING A PERSONAL FLIGHT THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER. THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN A DIRT FIELD, AND DURING ROLLOUT NOSED OVER. THE EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THAT THE DRAIN VALVE FITTING IN THE GASCOLATOR WAS MISSING. IT HAD PROBABLY BECOME DISLODGED DURING THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE GASCOLATOR WAS NEW AND PROVIDED RECORDS INDICATING THAT IT HAD BEEN INSTALLED 7 OPERATIONAL HOURS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.   Probable Cause THE TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHICH RESULTED FROM THE DRAIN VALVE FITTING ON A NEWLY INSTALLED GASCOLATOR DISLODGING DURING CRUISE FLIGHT. That's about all info I have available. I'm looking for the connection to the intersting story on the X-wind landing in Germany, In what year was that?   All the best   Coert Munk PH-NCE c/n 4765   The weather at the time: vis 2000m, low stratus at 500-1,000ft, hardly any VFR flying possuble.