Maule M-7-260C N99KJ

Summary

On 28 March 2004 at about 19:34 local time, a Maule M-7-260C registered N99KJ was involved in an accident near Paso Robles, California, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 March 2004 at 19:34

Classification

Accident

Location

Paso Robles, California, United States

Nearest airport

Private

Coordinates

35.5675, -120.7917

Aircraft

Maule M-7-260C

Registration

N99KJ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Paso Robles → Santa Barbara

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX04LA171

Nobody was injured.

fuel system vapor lock due to the failure of the left exhaust stack clamp pin, which caused a separation of the exhaust stack from the muffler and the porting of hot exhaust gases onto the fuel lines.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane lost engine power during takeoff from a private airstrip and collided with the ground during the ensuing forced landing attempt. During the initial takeoff climb, approximately 1,000 feet above ground level, the engine sputtered. The pilot changed the fuel tank selector from the "BOTH" position to the "RIGHT" position and adjusted the mixture control. Partial power returned momentarily; shortly thereafter, the engine lost power again. During the forced landing on uneven terrain, the right wing impacted the ground. Post-accident examination revealed that the left muffler's exhaust stack was detached from the manifold. The exhaust stack is secured to the exhaust manifold outlet tube with a pin. This pin was eroded and no longer secured the two pieces together. Evidence of heat was found on the fuel lines and plastic tubing in the area of the exhaust stack. According to the AC 65-12A, vapor lock can be induced by high fuel temperatures and result in a partial or complete loss of power. A post-accident test run of the engine did not reveal any operating anomalies or malfunctions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.