# NTSB SEA94LA081: Maule M-4-220C, N40318, Dubois, ID, March 14, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1994, 18:00 local (Mar 14, 1994, 01:00 UTC)
- Place: Dubois, ID
- Coordinates: 44.220043, -112.369827 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2200&lon=-112.3698&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41894
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41894/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA081

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT. FACTORS INCLUDE LIGHT CONDITIONS AT DUSK.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - light condition - dusk (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WHILE MANEUVERING AT LOW LEVEL IN ORDER TO LOOK AT A POSSIBLE FUTURE LANDING SITE, THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED A POWER LINE IN THE SUBDUED LIGHT OF DUSK. THE  PILOT SAID THAT HE HAD NOT SEEN THE WIRE PRIOR TO THE IMPACT.

## Factual narrative

On March 13, 1994, approximately 1800 mountain standard time (MST), a Maule M-4-220C, N40318, collided with a power line while maneuvering about seven miles west of Dubois, Idaho. Neither the private pilot nor his passenger were injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The personal pleasure flight, which departed Dubois Municipal Airport, Dubois, Idaho, about 10 minutes earlier, was in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT, which was activated by the subsequent impact with the ground, was turned off at the scene.

According to the pilot, he was maneuvering at low level to take a look at a future landing site when he impacted a power line. He said that he did not see the wire prior to the impact.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40318](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40318-2013-05-14), registration cancelled 2013-05-14, S/N 2093C, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-4-220C
- 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
- Serial number: 2093C
- Airframe hours: 823
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350C 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Owen, Marty & Milloway, Jeremy
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 30, 1993, 175 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 211 total, 113 in this make and model, 120 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 360° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19940314004929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940314004929A), Mar 14, 1994: Maule M4220C, Duboise, ID, Substantial damage. Struck power line and crashed while maneuvering at a low altitude.

## Other investigations on N40318 (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 SEA05LA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA101), May 21, 2005: Maule M-4-220C (N40318), Driggs, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to compensate for wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop/swerve during the landing roll. A crosswind was a factor.

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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