# NTSB CHI91DEE02: Maule M-4-220C, N40614, Romeoville, IL, December 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: December 11, 1990, 14:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Romeoville, IL
- Coordinates: 41.579456, -88.039901 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5795&lon=-88.0399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14821
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEE02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14821/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEE02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION RESULTING IN POWER LOSS FROM FUEL CONTAMINATION.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OWNER'S FAILURE TO ACCOMPLISH AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 84-9-7 WHICH PROVIDED DIRECT, CONVENIENT ACCESS TO SAMPLE AND PURGE THE MAIN FUEL TANKS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,drain - improper
  - maintenance,compliance with ad - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE DRAINED 8 VIALS OF WATER FROM THE LOW-POINT FUEL DRAINS ON THE FUSELAGE BEFORE FUEL RAN CLEAR. THE ENGINE RUNUP SHOWED SOME ROUGHNESS, SO THE PILOT CONTINUED THE RUNUP UNTIL THE ENGINE RAN SMOOTHLY. THE ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER CLIMBOUT AND A SUSTAINED TURN. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM SHOWED WATER CONTAMINATION THROUGHOUT. THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN RETROFITTED WITH QUICK DRAIN VALVES IN PLACE OF THE ORIGINAL 1/8-INCH NPT SUMP PLUGS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANKS, AS MANDATED IN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 84-9-7. THE PILOT IS THE AIRPLANE OWNER AND IS AN AIRFRAME-AND-POWERPLANT MECHANIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40614](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40614), registered now, S/N 2138C, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-4-220C
- Registry model: [Maule M-4-220C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-220c) (registry code 5460114) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2138C
- Airframe hours: 7786
- Engines: FRANKLIN GA-350-C1 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Matrinek, Dennis P
- Registered owner: Dennis F. Martinek
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1990, 10 hours before
- Departed: LOT
- Destination: MDW
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,686 total, 122 in this make and model, 3,967 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 4.6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observed at: DPA, 175 nm away

## 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 19901211053849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901211053849A), Dec 11, 1990: Maule M4220C, Romeoville, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on downwind. Wing sheared off on a tree on forced landing. Water in fuel. AD on quick drains not done.

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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