# NTSB LAX83LA217: Maule M4-210, N4624T, Hesperia, CA, May 4, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1983, 16:05 local (23:05 UTC)
- Place: Hesperia, CA
- Coordinates: 34.360145, -117.320274 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3601&lon=-117.3203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83LA217
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83LA217

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,selector/valve - improper (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Main gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A HARD LANDING OFF THE RUNWAY ON AN AIRPORT DURING A FORCED LANDING. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT THE ACFT HAD JUST COME OUT OF ANNUAL INSPECTION AND IT WAS NOTED THAT THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE HANDLE WAS BROKEN. A NEW VALVE WAS ORDERED AND A TEMPORARY HANDLE WAS PUT ON THE VALVE. DURING A RUN IN FLT ON MAY 3 THE ENGINE QUIT BUT THE PILOT WAS ABLETO LAND ON AN AIRPORT. THE PILOT CALLED HIS MECHANIC TO BRING FUEL AND THEY ADDED 5 GALLONS TO THE RIGHT TANK. THE PILOTWAS CONVINCED BY THE MECHANIC TO WAIT BEFORE FERRY OF THE ACFT WAS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED. THE PILOT CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY WITH 10 GALS OF FUEL AND STILL NOT KNOWING WHICH TANK THE SELECTOR WAS ON PUT 5 GALS IN EACH TANK. THIS MADE 10 GALS IN RT TANK AND 5 GALS IN THE LEFT. THE PILOT TOOK OFF AFTER CHECKING THE ENGINE AND 3 MINUTES LATER THE ENGINE QUIT. HE WASABLE TO LAND ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY WHERE THE GEAR COLLAPSED. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE SELECTOR WAS ON LEFT TANK. ONE AND ONE HALF GALS IN EACH TANK WAS UNUSABLE. THERE WAS ONLY A TRACE IN THE LEFT TANK AND APPROX 7 GALS IN THE RIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4624T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4624T), registered now, S/N 1026, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M4-210
- Registry model: [Maule M-4-210](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-210) (registry code 5460108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1026
- Airframe hours: 716
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-36OA 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Hilly, Donald W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 1982, 122 hours before
- Destination: L6F, RIALTO, CA
- Airport: L26, Hesperia Air Lodge, runway 21, 3,750 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,240 total, 131 in this make and model, 1,065 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VCV, 13 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 19830504017119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830504017119A), May 4, 1983: Maule M4210, Hesperia, CA, Substantial damage. Crash occurred during emergency landing after fuel starvation. Fuel selector shaft was sheared.

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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