# NTSB OAK71AP010: Maule M4-220, N2002U, San Ardo, CA, August 22, 1970

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 22, 1970
- Place: San Ardo, CA · SAN ARDO, CA
- Location: 36.0237° N, 120.9073° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of San Ardo, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0237&lon=-120.9073&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 7, 1971
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 114689
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK71AP010
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK71AP010

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2927  70/8/22    SAN ARDO,CALIF      MAULE M4-220        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 61, 165
        TIME - 0632                    N2002U              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, ALL IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SAN ARDO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SAN ARDO,CALIF              ARCULARIUS RANCH,CAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INITIATED FLIGHT IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS
           PILOT IN COMMAND - SPATIAL DISORIENTATION
        FACTOR(S)
           WEATHER - LOW CEILING
           WEATHER - FOG
        WEATHER BRIEFING - BRIEFED BY FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL, BY PHONE
        WEATHER FORECAST - FORECAST SUBSTANTIALLY CORRECT
        SKY CONDITION                                            CEILING AT ACCIDENT SITE
          OVERCAST                                                  1000
        VISIBILITY AT ACCIDENT SITE                              PRECIPITATION AT ACCIDENT SITE
          UNKNOWN/NOT REPORTED                                     NONE
        OBSTRUCTIONS TO VISION AT ACCIDENT SITE                  TYPE OF WEATHER CONDITIONS
          FOG                                                      VFR
        TYPE OF FLIGHT PLAN
          VFR
        REMARKS- OBS SAW ACFT DEP AND DISAPPEAR INTO EST 1000 FT OVCST.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2002U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2002U-2014-08-27), registration cancelled 2014-08-27, S/N 2005C, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M4-220
- Registry model: [Maule M-4-220C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-220c) (registry code 5460114) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: San Ardo

## Other investigations on N2002U (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 OAK68D0315](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK68D0315), Feb 25, 1968: Maule M-4 (N2002U), San Ardo, CA, 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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