Pilot Debrief

MAULE M-7-420AC near Hanover Township, MI — 2012-05-13

Final reportCEN12LA296
Sign in to save
Date
2012-05-13
Location
Hanover Township, MI, USA
Aircraft
MAULE M-7-420AC
Registration
N420RP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined during an exhaustive postaccident examination of the engine and its components.

NTSB narrative

The pilot departed from a lake in a seaplane, circled, and flew back over the lake. He then saw another lake nearby and decided to land on it. On the downwind leg of the landing, the engine lost power. During the descent toward the lake, the airplane struck trees next to the shore and subsequently went into the water. The pilot and passenger exited the airplane and swam to shore. The fuel selector was found in the OFF position. Two gallons of fuel were drained from the left tank. The right tank was ruptured when the wing struck the tree, and there was evidence of fuel spray on the tree. An examination of the turbine engine failed to reveal a reason for the loss of power. The fuel pump was tested and met factory specifications. While the main fuel control contained only residual fuel, it also tested in accordance with factory specifications; given the presence of fuel after the accident, the investigation was unable to conclude that this was the cause of the power loss. Further, the propeller governor and overspeed governor tested in accordance with factory specifications and electrical power was applied to the Welden fuel pump, which operated normally.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked fuel levels before departure to prevent power loss.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

Related mishaps