# NTSB LAX92LA040: Maule M4-220C, N40625, Coolidge, AZ, November 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1991, 08:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Coolidge, AZ
- Location: 32.9778° N, 111.5176° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Coolidge, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9778&lon=-111.5176&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27499
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA040
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27499/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA040

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN DUE TO INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS.  A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN ON RUNWAY 30 THE AIRCRAFT 'CROSSED A POINT OF CHANGE IN ELEVATION.' HE SAID THE AIRPLANE BECAME 'LIGHT' AND DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH AIRSPEED TO BE CONTROLLED BY THE RUDDER OR AILERON. HE SAID THE WIND CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO DRIFT OFF THE AIRSTRIP TO THE WEST.  THE PILOT REPORTED THE WIND DIRECTION WAS FROM 080 DEGREES AT 7 MILES PER HOUR, GUSTING TO 10 MILES PER HOUR. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED, WITHOUT THE PILOT BEING ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL, UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40625](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40625-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 2146C, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M4-220C
- Registry model: [Maule M-4-220C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-220c) (registry code 5460114) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A-350SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-350ser) (registry code 27023, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2146C
- Airframe hours: 1300
- Engines: FRANKLIN 220C 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Doug & Carole Henry
- Registered owner: Doug & Carole Henry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 23, 1991, 37 hours before
- Destination: P06, BULLHEAD CITY, AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 8E4, Valley Farms, runway 17, 2,600 × 30 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 735 total, 701 in this make and model, 664 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19911108049989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911108049989A), Nov 8, 1991: Maule M4220C, Coolidge, AZ, Substantial damage. Premature liftoff from dip in runway. Uncontrolled drift off runway due crosswind. Settled and struck a ditch.

## Other investigations on N40625 (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 WPR11LA444](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA444), Sep 10, 2011: Maule M-4-220C (N40625), Show Low, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing, which resulted in a ground loop.
- [NTSB LAX82DA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA142), Apr 20, 1982: Maule M-4 (N40625), Wickenburg, AZ, 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.

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