# NTSB FTW87LA169: Maule M-4-210C, N40684, Houston, TX, July 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1987, 16:14 local (21:14 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Coordinates: 29.929506, -95.600051 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9295&lon=-95.6001&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22400
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22400/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA169

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR PLT (CFI) STATED THAT DRG THE PREFLT, HE & THE STUDENT DRAINED ABOUT 1 PINT OF WATER FROM THE LEFT WING TANK & A SMALL AMOUNT FROM THE LOWER ENG SUMP DRAIN. NO WATER WAS FOUND IN THE RGT TANK. THE LEFT TANK WAS SELECTED & A 12 TO 15 MIN ENG RUN-UP WAS MADE BEFORE TAKING OFF. DRG THE INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER. THE CFI TOOK CONTROL OF THE ACFT & MADE AN EMERG LNDG IN A PASTURE. WHILE LNDG, THE ACFT ENCTRD RAPIDLY RISING TERRAIN & THE GEAR COLLAPSED. A POST-ACDNT EXAM REVEALED THERE WAS WATER & RUST IN THE FUEL INJECTOR SERVO, DISTRIBUTOR,LINES/NOZZLES, FUEL PUMP, GASCOLATOR & CONNECTING LINES. AN ESTIMATED 1 PINT OF WATER WAS DRAINED FROM THE FUEL SYS AFTER THE ACDNT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40684](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40684), registered now, S/N 1083C, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-4-210C
- Registry model: [Maule M-4-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-210c) (registry code 5460112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1083C
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-A 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Leonard T. Bayer
- Registered owner: Leonard T Bayer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: T17
- Airport: T17, Weiser Air Park, runway 9, 3,467 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 13,500 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870710074789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870710074789A), Jul 10, 1987: Maule M4210C, Houston, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit on climbout. Made a forced landing on a rapidly rising terrain on rollout. Found water in fuel system.

## Other investigations on N40684 (2)

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 ANC09CA029](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA029), Apr 4, 2009: Maule M-4-210C (N40684), Chickaloon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitably rough and snow-covered landing area.
- [NTSB ANC74DAG21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAG21-201624), Aug 17, 1973: Maule M4210C (N40684), Ninilchik, AK, substantial damage

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.