# NTSB SEA92LA078: Maule M-7, N61043, Aravada, WY, April 14, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 14, 1992, 17:40 local (23:40 UTC)
- Place: Aravada, WY
- Coordinates: 44.759151, -106.090377 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7592&lon=-106.0904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA92LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA078

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A VISUAL LOOKOUT, AND HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION. FACTORS INCLUDE A LOW PASS, AND A TRANSMISSION WIRE IN THE PATH OF FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - low pass - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE MAULE M-7 PLANNED TO LAND IN AN OPEN FIELD IN ORDER TO VISIT AN ACQUAINTANCE AT A NEARBY RANCH. WHEN HE ARRIVED IN THE AREA OF THE RANCH HE MADE A LOW PASS OVER THE PROPOSED LANDING SITE IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE IT WAS A SAFE FIELD TO TOUCH DOWN IN. AS HE MADE THE LOW PASS HE WAS CONCENTRATING ON THE LANDING SURFACE, AND DID NOT SEE THE POWERLINES UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO AVOID THEM. HE TRIED TO GO UNDER THE WIRES, BUT CONTACTED THE LOWER ONE, AND WAS PULLED DOWN INTO THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N61043](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61043-2018-01-05), registration cancelled 2018-01-05, S/N 4044C, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-7
- Registry model: [Maule M-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235) (registry code 5470208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4044C
- Airframe hours: 265
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-W1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Oedekoven, Fred L.
- Registered owner: Oedekoven, Fred L.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1991, 205 hours before
- Departed: RECLUSE, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 1,350 in this make and model, 1,354 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0.2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19920414010019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920414010019A), Apr 14, 1992: Maule M7235, Arvada, WY, Substantial damage. Made low pass over ranch field to check surface for landing. Struck powerline on pullup. Failed to note wires.

## Other investigations on N61043 (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 ANC95LA161](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA161), Sep 9, 1995: Maule M-7 (N61043), Aniak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff.
- [NTSB SEA93LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA203), Sep 20, 1993: Maule M-7-235 (N61043), Recluse, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

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.