Maule M-4-220C N40693
2 June 1991 · Byron, California, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 2 June 1991 at about 18:04 local time, a Maule M-4-220C registered N40693, operated by Andre D. Baury, was involved in an accident near Byron, California, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:04
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Byron, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- Byron Aprt (4Q5)
- Coordinates
- 37.8498, -121.6199
- Aircraft
- Maule M-4-220C
- Registration
- N40693
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Andre D. Baury
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Unknown → San Carlos
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX91LA239
People
2 people had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Probable cause
THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO PERFORM AN ADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION BY TAKING THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ELIMINATE WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SYSTEM.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
A MAULE M-4-220C COLLIDED WITH A FOUR FOOT HIGH DIRT BANK AFTER A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER DURING TAKEOFF. THE PILOT REPORTED THE ENGINE POWER WAS SURGING DURING THE INITIAL TAKEOFF CLIMB. AT 75 FT AGL THE ENGINE STOPPED. THE ENGINE STARTED AND RAN WITHOUT ANY MALFUNCTIONS DURING A POST ACCIDENT EXAM. THE PILOT SUSPECTED POSSIBLE WATER IN THE FUEL OR SEDIMENTS TEMPORARILY BLOCKING A FUEL LINE. THE AIRPLANE WAS LAST FLOWN 1 WEEK EARLIER FOR 1 HR AND 15 MIN. FUELING RECORDS ESTABLISHED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS FUELED WITH 8.9 GALLONS OF AVIATION FUEL AFTER THE FLIGHT. THE FUEL CONSUMPTION FOR THE ENGINE AVERAGES IN EXCESS OF 12 GAL/HR. THE FAA RECOMMENDS THAT THE FUEL TANKS BE COMPLETELY FILLED AFTER EACH FLIGHT, OR AT LEAST AFTER THE LAST FLIGHT OF THE DAY. THE REASON IS THAT WHEN AIR IN THE FUEL TANK COOLS, THE MOISTURE IT CONTAINS CONDENSES INTO WATER, AND CONTAMINATES THE FUEL. PILOTS SHOULD TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO ELIMINATE IT DURING PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Maule M-4 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 May 1991 | Maule M-4-220C | Beluga, Alaska, United States | James D. Ferry | No injuries | - |
| 11 Dec 1990 | Maule M-4-220C | Romeoville, Illinois, United States | Matrinek, Dennis P | Minor injuries | - |
| 1 Oct 1990 | Maule M-4-210C | 60 E of Bethel, Alaska, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 21 Jul 1990 | Maule M-4-220C | Missoula, Montana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 17 Jul 1990 | Maule M-4-220C | Klamath Falls, Oregon, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 31 Mar 1990 | Maule M-4 | Anchorage, Alaska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 Jul 1991 | Cessna C-172P | Hesperia, California, United States | South Bay Aviation | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jul 1991 | Cessna 172N | Napa, California, United States | Bridgeford Flying SVC. | No injuries | - |
| 24 Jul 1991 | Beechcraft 76 | Sacramento, California, United States | Altair Aviation Corp. | No injuries | - |
| 27 Jul 1991 | Ayres S2R | Visalia, California, United States | Gilbert Aviation Industries | Serious injuries | - |
| 1 Aug 1991 | Cessna 421C | Auburn, California, United States | Edward Mueller | No injuries | - |
| 2 Aug 1991 | Champion 7GCBC | Lake Elsinore, California, United States | Halbeisen, John F | Fatal | 2 |