# NTSB MKC89FA099: Maule M-5, N20BS, Ainsworth, NE, April 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1989, 06:30 local (11:30 UTC)
- Place: Ainsworth, NE
- Coordinates: 42.53968, -99.849029 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5397&lon=-99.8490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34679
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC89FA099
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34679/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC89FA099

## Probable cause

THE PILOT CONTINUED FLIGHT INTO IFR CONDITIONS AND THE LOSS OF AICRAFT CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE CLOUD CONDITIONS AND FOG.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, climb - to cruise
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOOK OFF INTO KNOWN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AFTER FILING A VISUAL FLIGHT RULES (VFR) FLIGHT PLAN. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED INSTRUMENT METEOROLOGICAL FLIGHT CONDITIONS. THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED IN AN EXTREME NOSE LOW ATTITUDE IN AN OPEN FIELD NEAR THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N20BS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N20BS-1989-08-14), registration cancelled 1989-08-14, S/N 5036C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5
- Registry model: [Maule M-5-220C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-220c) (registry code 5460133) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5036C
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350-C1 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Selix, Leroy
- Registered owner: Selix, Leroy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: ANW, AINSWORTH, NE
- Destination: C09, MORRIS, IL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: ANW

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 423 total, 12 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ANW, 3 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 19890427010319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890427010319A), Apr 27, 1989: Maule M5220C, Ainsworth, NE, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Lost control climbing out VFR into a low ceiling. Thunderstorms in area. High velocity impact. No atco certificate.

## Other investigations on N20BS (1)

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 ATL84LA191](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA191), Jun 1, 1984: Maule M-2 (N20BS), Troy, VA, 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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