# NTSB LAX84LA271: Maule M-4-220C, N40329, Vacaville, CA, April 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1984, 13:15 local (21:15 UTC)
- Place: Vacaville, CA
- Coordinates: 38.409431, -122.01004 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4094&lon=-122.0100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24244
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA271
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24244/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA271

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - level off - improper, copilot/second pilot (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - control interference, other person (cause)
  - recovery from bounced landing - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - initiated, copilot/second pilot (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT WAS CONDUCTED FOR A SALES DEMONSTRATION. BOTH OCCUPANTS WERE PILOTS. TWO LANDINGS WERE PERFORMED BY THE ACFT OWNER. THE THIRD LANDING WAS PERFORMED BY THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER AND DURING TOUCHDOWN THE ACFT BOUNCED. THE OWNER APPLIED POWER TO RECOVER. THE BUYER APPLIED RIGHT BRAKE. THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY, GROUND LOOPED AND WENT INTO A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40329](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40329), registered now, S/N 2104C (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: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2104C
- Airframe hours: 442
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350-C1 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joseph W. Bennett
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 1983, 3 hours before
- Departed: CCR, CONCORD, CA
- Destination: 045, VACAVILLE, CA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 045, Nut Tree, runway 1, 3,800 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 2,987 total, 2,570 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 20 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19840428014679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840428014679A), Apr 28, 1984: Maule M4220C, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. Buyer unskilled in type, lost control, ground looped on landing when pilot owner tried to correct control misuse.

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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