Pilot Debrief

MAULE M-4 near Bishop, CA — 2008-03-07

Final reportSEA08LA087
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Date
2008-03-07
Location
Bishop, CA, USA
Airport
BIH
Aircraft
MAULE M-4
Registration
N51430
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

A loss of engine power due to foreign object ingestion in the induction system, which resulted in a stuck/jammed exhaust valve during the takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that just after takeoff the engine began running rough and he returned to the airport for a landing. The airplane touched down long and overran the runway. The pilot stated he intentionally ground looped the airplane in an effort to avoid a fence located beyond the overrun area of the runway. Post accident examination of the engine revealed that the alternate induction air valve (automatic air door) was separated from the induction bracket and a 2-inch-long AN3 bolt associated with door assembly was lodged between (holding open) the number six cylinder exhaust valve and corresponding exhaust port.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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