# NTSB WPR23LA131: Maule M-4-220C, N40635, Santa Ynez, CA, March 18, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 18, 2023, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Santa Ynez, CA · Just off KIZA - Coordinates: 34.6, -120.08 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6000&lon=-120.0800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 106915 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106915/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106915 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA131 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate fuel planning, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management; cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while in a climb on the left crosswind leg of the airport traffic pattern, the engine stopped producing power. He made a left turn toward the airport, activated the electric fuel pump, and changed the fuel selector valve position from the left-wing fuel tank to the right-wing fuel tank. Despite the pilot’s attempts, the engine would not restart, and the pilot made a forced landing in a vineyard. The pilot stated that he believes he unported the available fuel in the left tank while in the climbing left-hand turn. The left wing and left elevator were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40635](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40635), registered now, S/N 2153C, 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 6A-350SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-350ser) (registry code 27023, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2153C - Year built: 1972 - Airframe hours: 1721.2 - Engines: Franklin 6H-350-C1 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Hartmann Peter C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 2023, 14 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: KIZA, Santa Ynez Airport, runway 08/26, 2,800 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 29, 2023; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,031 total, 266 in this make and model, 848 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KIZA - METAR: METAR KIZA 181615Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 10/07 A3005 RMK AO2= ## 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 20230318003179A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230318003179A), Mar 18, 2023: Maule M-4-220C, Santa Ynez, CA, Substantial damage. Departed runway 26 entered left crosswind once leveled off between 400 to 600 feet engine stopped running. Lowered nose, to keep from stalling, returned back… ## Other investigations on N40635 (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 OAK76DVG20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK76DVG20), Sep 3, 1975: Maule M4220C (N40635), Ruth, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 23, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106915. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15303978&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA131_6120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15303686&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA131_photos_508-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 97 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15418324&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MemorandumofRecordPeterHartmann_Redacted-Rel.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.