Maule M-7-420AC N420RP

Summary

On 13 May 2012 at about 23:03 local time, a Maule M-7-420AC registered N420RP, operated by Bull DOG Aviation LLC, was involved in an accident near Hanover Township, Michigan, United States. 2 people were 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

13 May 2012 at 23:03

Classification

Accident

Location

Hanover Township, Michigan, United States

Coordinates

42.0878, -84.4861

Aircraft

Maule M-7-420AC

Registration

N420RP

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Bull DOG Aviation LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hanover Twnshp → Alpena

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12LA296

1 person had minor injuries.

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during an exhaustive postaccident examination of the engine and its components.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot departed from a lake in a seaplane, circled, and flew back over the lake. He then saw another lake nearby and decided to land on it. On the downwind leg of the landing, the engine lost power. During the descent toward the lake, the airplane struck trees next to the shore and subsequently went into the water. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane and swam to shore. The fuel selector was found in the OFF position. Two gallons of fuel were drained from the left tank. The right tank was ruptured when the wing struck the tree, and there was evidence of fuel spray on the tree. An examination of the turbine engine failed to reveal a reason for the loss of power. The fuel pump was tested and met factory specifications. While the main fuel control contained only residual fuel, it also tested in accordance with factory specifications; given the presence of fuel after the accident, the investigation was unable to conclude that this was the cause of the power loss. Further, the propeller governor and overspeed governor tested in accordance with factory specifications and electrical power was applied to the Welden fuel pump, which operated normally.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.