Maule M-5-210C N315X

Summary

On 28 May 2009 at about 14:45 local time, a Maule M-5-210C registered N315X was involved in an accident near Ogden, Utah, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

28 May 2009 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Ogden, Utah, United States

Nearest airport

Ogden-Hinckley Airport (OGD)

Coordinates

41.2017, -112.0214

Aircraft

Maule M-5-210C

Registration

N315X

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ogden → Paradise

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09LA268

1 person was seriously injured.

A loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he filled the airplane's fuel tanks prior to flight with aviation gasoline, and performed preflight inspections both before the flight, as well as the day prior. During the takeoff initial climb, the airplane experienced a loss of engine power. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but ultimately force landed in a field adjacent to the airport. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage during the impact sequence. Post accident examination of the engine did not reveal any obvious anomalies; however, a fuel sample obtained from one of the wings revealed the presence of a residual quantity of automotive gasoline mixed with aviation gasoline. The owner of the airplane stated that he had used automotive gasoline in the airplane on prior occasions, but had given up the practice about 6 months prior to the accident. The use of automobile gasoline in the airplane is explicitly prohibited by the engine manufacturer for reasons including the potential for vapor lock. Additionally, the engine examination showed multiple indications of an excessively rich mixture, which can also result in a loss of power. Whether one or both of these possibilities resulted in the loss of engine power could not be determined. The pilot reported flight control difficulties during the emergency descent; however, impact damage prevented an accurate assessment of the airplane's control rigging.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.