# NTSB CEN12LA296: Maule M-7-420AC, N420RP, Hanover Township, MI, May 13, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 13, 2012, 19:03 local (23:03 UTC) - Place: Hanover Township, MI - Coordinates: 42.087776, -84.486114 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0878&lon=-84.4861&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 83640 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA296 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83640/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83640 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA296 ## Probable cause A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during an exhaustive postaccident examination of the engine and its components. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-420AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=5470414), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-7-420AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5470414), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Maule M-7-420AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5470414), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule M-7-420AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5470414), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative On May 13, 2012, at 1903 eastern daylight time, the pilot of a Maule M-7-420AC, N420RP, attempted to make a forced landing on Pine Hill Lake, Hanover Township, Michigan, after the engine lost power. During the emergency descent, the airplane clipped a tree and impacted the water. The pilot and his passenger, who were not injured, exited the airplane and swam to shore. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airplane was registered to and operated by Bull Dog Aviation, Alpena, Michigan, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at 1859 from nearby Round Lake and was en route to Jackson County Regional Airport (KJXN), Jackson, Michigan. The pilot told a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that he had landed at Round Lake earlier in the day to visit a relative. He departed Round Lake and was en route to KJXN for fuel. According to the pilot’s accident report, he took off to the south, circled, and flew back over the lake. He saw nearby Farwell Lake and decided to land there. He checked the area for traffic and made a clearing pass over the lake to notify traffic of his intention to land. He then made climbing left turns and was established on the downwind leg when the engine lost power. The pilot said he did not have time to attempt an engine restart. Pine Hill Lake came into view and during the descent towards that lake the airplane struck trees next to the shore. The pilot then returned to the airplane and turned off the fuel selector. After the airplane was recovered from the lake, the inspector was only able to drain two gallons of fuel from the left tank. The right wing had struck a tree, rupturing the fuel tank. Examination of the tree revealed signatures consistent with a fuel spray. The Maule M-7-420AC has interconnected inboard and outboard tanks in each wing. The fuel control valve selects the left tank, right tank, and the ON and OFF positions. The FAA inspector found the fuel selector in the OFF position. Examination of the turbine engine failed to reveal why it lost power. Both the N1 and N2 shafts rotated freely with continuity between the compressor and the gas producer, and between the power turbine and the accessory gearbox. The chip plugs were clean. Various fuel components were removed for testing. The engine fuel pump (p.n. 6899253, s.n. 3483) was tested at the Eaton Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, on July 23, under the auspices of FAA. Also in attendance was a technical representative from Rolls Royce. The fuel pump was opened and only residual fuel was noted. The Rolls Royce representative said it was less than what was to be expected or was normally found. The unit tested satisfactory in accordance with factory specifications. The main fuel control (p.n. 23057346, s.n. 334664) was tested at Honeywell Engine Control Systems, South Bend,Indiana, on July 24, under the auspices of FAA. A technical representative from Rolls Royce was also in attendance. Again, only residual fuel was found in the control, and the Rolls Royce representative again noted the amount was less than what was expected or normally found. It also tested satisfactory in accordance with factory specifications. The propeller governor (p.n. 6875708, s.n. 1705058A/B) and overspeed governor (p.n. 23032241C, s.n. 2164897) were tested at Woodward on July 25, under the auspices of FAA. A technical representative from Rolls Royce was in attendance. The units tested satisfactory in accordance with factory specifications. FAA later applied electrical power to the Welden fuel pump. The FAA inspector said it operated normally. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N420RP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N420RP-2014-03-21), registration cancelled 2014-03-21, S/N 29001C, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-7-420AC - Registry model: [Maule M-7-420AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-420ac) (registry code 5470414) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-B17 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-b17-series) (registry code 03017, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 29001C - Airframe hours: 1200 - Engines: Allison 250-B17C 420 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Bull Dog Aviation LLC - Registered owner: Bull Dog Aviation LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 2, 2012, 30 hours before - Departed: Hanover Twnshp, MI - Destination: Alpena ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 31, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 1,600 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20120513026929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120513026929A), May 13, 2012: Maule M-7-420AC, Hanover Twp, MI, Destroyed. On may 13, 2012, at 1903 eastern daylight time, the pilot attempted to make a forced landing on pine hill lake in Hanover township, Michigan, after… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83640. 2.4 MB in all. - NTSB Form 6120.1-2, Pilot-Operator Aircraft Accident Report (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378043&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1-2,%20Pilot-Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report-Redacted.PDF - FAA Note (item 2, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378044&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Note-Redacted.PDF - E-Mails Between NTSB and FAA (item 3, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=E-Mails%20Between%20NTSB%20and%20FAA-Master.PDF - E-Mail from Rolls-Royce (item 4, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378046&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=E-Mail%20from%20Rolls-Royce-Redacted.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.