# NTSB CHI93DEE03: Maxair MU532, Fox Lake, IL, July 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 11, 1993, 19:55 local (Jul 12, 1993, 00:55 UTC)
- Place: Fox Lake, IL
- Coordinates: 42.389457, -88.169967 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3895&lon=-88.1700&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9138
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93DEE03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9138/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93DEE03

## Probable cause

the failure of the pilot to maintain the necessary altitude above the terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED TO THE SHERIFF THAT WHILE MANEUVERING OVER A LAKE AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET ABOVE THE WATER, A GUST OF WIND FORCED THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE DOWNWARD AND IT IMPACTED THE WATER.  THE PILOT DID NOT HOLD FAA PILOT OR MEDICAL CERTIFICATES, AND THE AIRPLANE DID NOT HAVE FAA REGISTRATION OR AIRWORTHINESS CERTIFICATES.  ACCORDING TO THE FAA INSPECTOR WHO INSPECTED THE WRECKAGE, THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AIRPLANE DID NOT COMPLY WITH FAA REQUIREMENTS.

## Factual narrative

On July 11, 1993, about 1955 central daylight time, a two-place Maxair Drifter MU532 airplane, owned and piloted by John R. Diebel descended to a water impact while maneuvering over Pistakee Lake, near Fox Lake, Illinois.  The sole occupant was seriously injured, and the airplane received substantial damage.  Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated from an unknown location.  No flight plan was filed.

The operator did not hold FAA pilot or medical certificates.  The construction of the Maxair Drifter did not comply with the requirements of FAR Part 103.  The airplane did not have FAA registration or airworthiness certificates.  The operator did not hold or operate the Maxair Drifter in accordance with the conditions of an exemption.

On July 21, 1993, an NTSB Form 6120.1/2 was forwarded to Mr. Diebel for completion and submission.  This form has not been returned.

The wreckage was towed to a nearby marina.  To facilitate towing and storage, the wings, landing gear, and fuel containers were disassembled.  Personnel from the marina ran the engine to purge it of any water.  Investigation of the airplane revealed the following:

The longitudinal support attaching the empennage was severed into two pieces, the propeller blades of the pusher-mounted engine were severed almost to the hub.  The cockpit area and remaining structures were intact and relatively undamaged.  Except for some of the hardware, none of the seatbelts, instruments, or other components were of aircraft quality or had any TSO markings.  The assembly techniques were not in accordance with acceptable FAA maintenance practices.  Approximately nine gallons of automotive fuel was contained in two interconnected plastic five-gallon containers strapped onto individual racks and located behind the aft seat.  The permanent fuel line fitting that connected the containers was broken.

## Aircraft

- Registration: NONE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MAXAIR MU532
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: ROTAX BOMBADIER 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John R. Diebel
- Registered owner: John R. Diebel
- Departed: UNKNOWN
- Destination: NONE, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: UGN, 15 nm away

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.