# NTSB FTW82DA134: Maule M-5-210C, N62003, Kirbyville, TX, April 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1982, 23:15 local (Apr 18, 1982, 05:15 UTC)
- Place: Kirbyville, TX
- Coordinates: 30.650346, -93.889518 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6503&lon=-93.8895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 17, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71276
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW82DA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71276/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW82DA134

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr)
  - flight/nav instruments,attitude gyro - false indication (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - continued, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON 4/17/82, N62003 DEPARTED WOODVILLE, TX UNDER VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL CONDITIONS ON A FLIGHT TO KIRBYVILLE, TX. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE ATTITUDE GYRO HAD ALWAYS BEEN SLOW TO ERECT AND WAS STILL SHOWING 10 DEGREES RIGHT BANK WHEN HE ARRIVED AT KIRBYVILLE. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD THE RUNWAY LIGHTS IN SIGHT AND APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET. FROM THE RUNWAY THE WINDSHIELD FOGGED UP AND THE LANDING LIGHTS BLINDED HIM. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A GO AROUND BUT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND A SHORT TIME LATER. THE PILOT STATED, "IF I HAD A PROPERLY OPERATING GYRO HORIZON, A GLANCE WOULD HAVE TOLD ME I HAD A NOSE DOWN CONDITION AND I COULD HAVE ESTABLISHED A NORMAL CLIMB OUT."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62003](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62003), registered now, S/N 6056C, built 1974 (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: 6056C
- Airframe hours: 1500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Bread Of Life Baptist Mission
- Registered owner: James M. Robertson
- Departed: 09R, WOODVILLE, TX
- Destination: DANVERS, MA
- Airport: T12, Kirbyville, runway 30, 3,000 × 45 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 547 total, 140 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 53 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 149 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: BPT, 32 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 19820417009789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820417009789A), Apr 17, 1982: Maule M5210C, Kirbyville, TX, Substantial damage. Entered ground fog on landing. Flew into ground and flipped over. Had defective gyro horizon at start of flight.

## Other investigations on N62003 (1)

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.

- [NTSB ANC81DAG13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG13), Dec 6, 1980: Maule M-5 (N62003), Anchorage, AK, destroyed

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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