# NTSB NYC89LA134: Maule M-4, N4713T, Csttltn-Hdsn, NY, May 19, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1989, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Csttltn-Hdsn, NY
- Coordinates: 42.530044, -73.700752 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5300&lon=-73.7008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36410
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA134
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36410/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA134

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS THE WET, SOFT GRASS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose down, takeoff - aborted
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A MAULE ML-4 SUSPECTED A CARBURETOR PROBLEM AND MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A SOD SURFACED, CLOSED AIRPORT. HE GROUND RAN THE ENGINE WITH NO PROBLEM AND DECIDED TO MAKE A TAKEOFF. HE ASKED A PERSON WHO WAS MOWING THE GRASS NEARBY TO CUT THE GRASS IN A 10 FOOT BY 1000 FOOT SWATH. THE GRASS WAS CUT AND THE TAKEOFF INITIATED, HOWEVER TAKEOFF SPEED COULD NOT BE ATTAINED AND THE MAIN WHEELS WERE SINKING INTO THE GROUND. THE TAKEOFF WAS ABORTED AND AS THE AIRCRAFT SLOWED, IT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4713T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4713T), registered now, S/N 56, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-4
- Registry model: [Maule M-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4) (registry code 5460104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 56
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Timothy J. Allen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: BENNINGTON, VT
- Destination: PETERSBURG, NY
- Airport: NY07, Csttltn-Hdsn

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 240 total, 113 in this make and model, 240 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 39 °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 19890519012439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890519012439A), May 19, 1989: Maule M4, Castleton, NY, Substantial damage. Made precautionary landing on closed grass strip. Had a strip mowed but unable to lift from soft field. Nosed over.

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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