# NTSB MKC74AK022: Maule M4-220, N40320, Independence, IA, November 14, 1973

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: November 14, 1973
- Place: Independence, IA · INDEPENDENCE, IA
- Location: 42.4622° N, 91.9032° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Independence, IA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4622&lon=-91.9032&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 187759
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC74AK022
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74AK022

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-4094  73/11/14   INDEPENDENCE,IOWA   MAULE M4-220        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 32, 327
        TIME - 1310                    N40320              PX-  1  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          KANSAS CITY,MO              CRYSTAL,MINN
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT INTO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - HYPOXIA
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - OTHER
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  400
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          4 MILES OR LESS                                          RAIN
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TEMPERATURE-F
          FOG                                                       46
        WIND DIRECTION-DEGREES                                   WIND VELOCITY-KNOTS
           50                                                       13
        TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS                               TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          IFR                                                      NONE
        REMARKS- OPN ABOVE 12500FT MSL.NO SUPPLEMENTAL OXYGEN.ENTERED CLOUDS AT 14000FT.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40320](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40320-1974-02-26), registration cancelled 1974-02-26, S/N 2095C, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M4-220
- Registry model: [Maule M-4-220C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-220c) (registry code 5460114) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19731114041659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19731114041659A), Nov 14, 1973: Maule M4220C, Independence, IA, 1 fatal. Opn above 12500FT MSL.no supplemental oxygen. Entered clouds at 14000FT.

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.