# NTSB NYC89LA136: Maule M5, N5669Y, Kutztown, PA, May 27, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 27, 1989, 17:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Kutztown, PA
- Coordinates: 40.5191, -75.769844 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5191&lon=-75.7698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36411
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36411/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA136

## Probable cause

AN OFF AIRPORT LANDING IN UNSUITABLE TERRAIN DUE TO A POWER LOSS FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD JUST TAKEN OFF DURING A GLIDER TOWING OPERATION WHEN HE EXPERIENCED A POWER LOSS. THE PILOT RELEASED THE GLIDER AND THEN THE ENGINE QUIT. HE LANDED IN A ROCK QUARRY, CAUSING SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE AIRCRAFT. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES WITH THE AIRCRAFT OR THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5669Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M5
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: M52357487C
- Airframe hours: 800
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kutztown Aviation, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 8, 1988, 200 hours before
- Airport: N31, Kutztown, runway 17, 1,930 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total, 250 in this make and model, 9,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point -0 °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 19890527012959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890527012959A), May 27, 1989: Maule M5235C, Kutztown, PA, Destroyed. Pilot reported engine quit on glider tow. Released glider. Landed in rock quarry. Unable to determine cause.

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.