Maule M-4-220C N40325

Summary

On 12 September 2007 at about 19:30 local time, a Maule M-4-220C registered N40325 was involved in an accident near Keene, North Dakota, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 September 2007 at 19:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Keene, North Dakota, United States

Coordinates

47.9406, -102.8906

Aircraft

Maule M-4-220C

Registration

N40325

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Keene → Dunn Center

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI07CA298

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff due to the high crosswind condition. Contributing factors were the high, gusting crosswind, and the tree.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted a tree during takeoff from a gravel road. The road was oriented north-south and the piloted attempted to depart to the south. The pilot stated that during the takeoff, as he passed a building on the west side of the road, a "hell of a gust of wind" overpowered the airplane. He was unable to maintain control and the airplane subsequently impacted a tree along the east side of the road. He noted that winds were from the west at approximately 30 knots, with higher gusts. The pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.