Maule M-4-220C N40635

Summary

On 18 March 2023 at about 17:00 local time, a Maule M-4-220C registered N40635, operated by Hartmann Peter C, was involved in an accident near Santa Ynez, California, 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

18 March 2023 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Santa Ynez, California, United States

Nearest airport

Santa Ynez Airport (KIZA)

Coordinates

34.6000, -120.0800

Aircraft

Maule M-4-220C

Registration

N40635

Category

Airplane

Year built

1972

Engines

1

Operator

Hartmann Peter C

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR23LA131

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while in a climb on the left crosswind leg of the airport traffic pattern, the engine stopped producing power. He made a left turn toward the airport, activated the electric fuel pump, and changed the fuel selector valve position from the left-wing fuel tank to the right-wing fuel tank. Despite the pilot’s attempts, the engine would not restart, and the pilot made a forced landing in a vineyard. The pilot stated that he believes he unported the available fuel in the left tank while in the climbing left-hand turn. The left wing and left elevator were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.