# NTSB NYC92LA024: Maule M5-235C, N5634K, Jim Thorpe, PA, November 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1991, 13:10 local (18:10 UTC)
- Place: Jim Thorpe, PA
- Coordinates: 40.870418, -75.730278 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8704&lon=-75.7303&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37105
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37105/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA024

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER USE OF CARBURETOR HEAT, RESULTING IN CARBURETOR ICE AND A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING IN TREES.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application
  - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions
  - carburetor heat - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS TOWING A BANNER, WHEN THE ENGINE QUIT AND THE PILOT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN TREES.  THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE. HE SAID HE DID NOT USE CARBURETOR HEAT.  A POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION REVEALED NO DISCREPANCIES WITH THE ENGINE.  THE TEMPERATURE WAS 62F AND THE DEW POINT WAS 52F. ACCORDING TO THE FAA CHART, THESE CONDITIONS ARE FAVORABLE TO THE FORMATION OF CARBURETOR ICING.  THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 15 HOURS IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5634K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5634K-2011-06-14), registration cancelled 2011-06-14, S/N 7273C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M5-235C
- Registry model: [Maule M-5-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (registry code 5460135) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7273C
- Airframe hours: 1659
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Kutztown Aviation
- Registered owner: Kutztown Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, June 1, 1991, 44 hours before
- Departed: N31, KUTZTOWN, PA
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 9,000 total, 15 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °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 19911102048679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911102048679A), Nov 2, 1991: Maule M5235C, Jim Thorpe, PA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on banner tow. Dropped banner and landed in trees. Did not use carb heat. Conditions good for carb ice.

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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