# NTSB BFO88FA085: Maule M-5-210C, N325X, Clarksville, VA, September 29, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 29, 1988, 06:25 local (10:25 UTC)
- Place: Clarksville, VA
- Coordinates: 36.619792, -78.559829 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6198&lon=-78.5598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88FA085
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88FA085

## Probable cause

INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL AS A RESULT OF PILOT DISORIENTATION WHEN THE PILOT TRIED TO CONDUCT VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC. LOW CLOUDS, POOR VISIBILITY, FOG AND POOR DECISION ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight encounter with weather, takeoff
  - weather condition - fog
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED LOW CLOUDS, POOR VISIBILITY, AND FOG WHEN THE ACFT TOOK OFF. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT CIRCLED THE AIRPORT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENGINE SOUND INCREASED AND DECREASED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE ACFT DESCENDED AND CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT WAS INSTRUMENT RATED; HOWEVER THERE WAS NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED FOR THE FLIGHT. RECORDS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO DETERMINE THE PLT'S INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. POST MORTEM EXAMS DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OR INCAPACITATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N325X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N325X-2012-10-02), registration cancelled 2012-10-02, S/N 6135C, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-210C
- Registry model: [Maule M-5-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-210c) (registry code 5460134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6135C
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James R. Hutcheson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: CXE, CHASE CITY, VA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,019 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Visibility: 5 statute miles

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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