"Anyone have thoughts about how to make sure one's engine doesn't quit?"
Jim. The small continentals are very tough engines. To keep them running you provide them the right amount of engine oil and plenty of fuel. There is only one mechanical event that can make them stop in the air and that is a broken exhaust valve. A careful engine maintenance / 100 hour compression check is a good way to prevent such event. To blame 40 percent of all accidents mentioned on engine problems is maybe a result of people trying to camouflage their pilot errors. One would have to read the detailed accident description - one for one- to get more insights. Have in mind that the first accident summery is usually based on prejudice and people reports, rather than on facts. Hartmut To: [email protected] From: [email protected] Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:24:58 -0400 Subject: [ercoupe-tech] ercoupe crashes 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. _________________________________________________________________ Bing™ brings you maps, menus, and reviews organized in one place. Try it now. http://www.bing.com/search?q=restaurants&form=MLOGEN&publ=WLHMTAG&crea=TXT_MLOGEN_Local_Local_Restaurants_1x1
