# NTSB NYC85LA096: Maule M-5-235C, N386X, Pittsfield, MA, March 31, 1985 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 31, 1985, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Pittsfield, MA - Location: 42.4501° N, 73.2454° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pittsfield, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4501&lon=-73.2454&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 35855 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC85LA096 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35855/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA096 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor) - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - window,flight compartment window/windshield - ice (contributing factor) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice - carburetor heat - initiated, pilot in command - flight into known adverse weather - continued, pilot in command (cause) - carburetor heat - not maintained, pilot in command - weather condition - rain (contributing factor) - wing - ice (contributing factor) - fuselage - ice (contributing factor) - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - fuel system,carburetor - ice (cause) - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - light condition - dusk (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Gear collapsed, landing - landing gear - overload ## Analysis DURING A PREFLT WX BRIEFING, THE PLT WAS ADVISED OF POSSIBLE MODERATE ICING IN CLOUDS FROM THE SURFACE TO 4000 FT. WHILE IN FLT, STRUCTURAL ICING CONDITIONS WERE ENCOUNTERED & RIME ICE ACCUMULATED ON THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO, CARB ICE CONDITIONS WERE ENCOUNTERED & FULL CARB HEAT WAS APPLIED. THE ACFT WAS GETTING NEAR THE DESTINATION, SO THE PLT ELECTED TO CONTINUE. HE TURNED THE CARB HEAT OFF FOR A SHORT WHILE, THEN ABOUT 8 MI FROM THE DESTINATION ARPT, HE TURNED IT BACK ON. AS THE ACFT APPROACHED THE ARPT, ICE BEGAN ACCUMULATING RAPIDLY ON THE WINGS, TIRES, STRUTS & WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS ALMOST TOTALLY COVERED WITH ICE. AFTER ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND, THE PLT TURNED BASE WITH ABOUT 16 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE ENG LOST POWER & WOULD NOT RESTART. AN EMERG LANDING WAS MADE IN A SMALL FIELD SHORT OF THE RWY WHERE THE GEAR COLLAPSED BEFORE THE ACFT STOPPED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N386X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N386X), registered now, S/N 7029C, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-235C - Registry model: [Maule M-5-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (registry code 5460135) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7029C - Airframe hours: 445 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Moses Goddard - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, June 28, 1984, 45 hours before - Departed: GAI, GAITHERSBURG, MD - Destination: PSF, PITTSFIELD, MA - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: PSF, Pittsfield Muni, runway 8, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 472 total, 252 in this make and model, 348 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 80° at 3 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point -0 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PSF, 1 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 19850331010159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850331010159A), Mar 31, 1985: Maule M5235C, Pittsfield, MA, Substantial damage. Pilot continued flight in icing conditions. Engine quit on base. Landed short of runway due to power loss. ## Other investigations on N386X (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 CEN20CA356](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA356), Aug 19, 2020: Maule M5 (N386X), Olathe, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's loss of directional control during landing. - [NTSB NYC81FNE25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FNE25), Aug 6, 1981: Maule M-5 (N386X), Pittsfield, MA, 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. --- 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.