# NTSB WPR09LA139: Maule M-5, N9166E, Calexico, CA, March 3, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 3, 2009, 10:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Calexico, CA - Coordinates: 34.678054, -115.574447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6781&lon=-115.5744&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73428 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73428/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73428 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA139 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that approximately 20 minutes after takeoff the engine began running rough. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a nearby field, and during the landing roll, the airplane nosed over in the soft, uneven ground. After the accident, the pilot examined the engine and airframe and reported finding no indication as to why the engine ran rough. ## Factual narrative On March 3, 2009, about 1020 Pacific standard time, a Maule M-5, N9166E, sustained substantial damage following an off airport landing in an open field three miles west of Calexico, California. The commercial pilot, the registered owner/operator of the airplane and passenger were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) aerial observation flight under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed Calexico approximately 20 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that about 20 minutes after takeoff, while maneuvering, the airplane developed a rough running engine and he initiated a precautionary landing to a nearby field. During the landing roll, the airplane encountered soft, uneven terrain and nosed over. Examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the vertical stabilizer and rudder were structurally damaged. Post accident examination of the engine and airframe, by the pilot, revealed no indication as to the basis of the rough running engine. Subsequent to the examination, the pilot began repairs on the engine and airframe. The engine and airframe were not examined by the National Transportation Safety Board. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9166E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9166E), registered now, S/N 7117C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-5 - Registry model: [Maule M-5-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (registry code 5460135) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7117C - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: John A. Reed - Registered owner: John A. Reed - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 2008 - Departed: KCXL, Calexico, CA - Destination: KCXL, Calexico, CA - Airport: KCXL, Calexico ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 30, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 19,000 total, 40 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KIPL, 10 nm away ## 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 20090303004079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090303004079A), Mar 3, 2009: Maule M5235C, Calexico, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he was in cruise flight for approximately 15-20 minutes. While enroute to kcxl, the engine began to run rough. The pilot decided to… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73428. 328 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 328 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320390&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.