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NTSB Report
December 11, 1990 · Maule M-4-220C · N40614
Romeoville, IL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 11, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Romeoville, IL
Aircraft
Maule M-4-220C
Tail Number
N40614
Operator
Matrinek Dennis P
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI91DEE02
THE PILOT STATED HE DRAINED 8 VIALS OF WATER FROM THE LOW-POINT FUEL DRAINS ON THE FUSELAGE BEFORE FUEL RAN CLEAR. THE ENGINE RUNUP SHOWED SOME ROUGHNESS, SO THE PILOT CONTINUED THE RUNUP UNTIL THE ENGINE RAN SMOOTHLY. THE ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER CLIMBOUT AND A SUSTAINED TURN. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM SHOWED WATER CONTAMINATION THROUGHOUT. THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN RETROFITTED WITH QUICK DRAIN VALVES IN PLACE OF THE ORIGINAL 1/8-INCH NPT SUMP PLUGS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANKS, AS MANDATED IN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 84-9-7. THE PILOT IS THE AIRPLANE OWNER AND IS AN AIRFRAME-AND-POWERPLANT MECHANIC.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION RESULTING IN POWER LOSS FROM FUEL CONTAMINATION. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE OWNER'S FAILURE TO ACCOMPLISH AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 84-9-7 WHICH PROVIDED DIRECT, CONVENIENT ACCESS TO SAMPLE AND PURGE THE MAIN FUEL TANKS.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT STATED HE DRAINED 8 VIALS OF WATER FROM THE LOW-POINT FUEL DRAINS ON THE FUSELAGE BEFORE FUEL RAN CLEAR. THE ENGINE RUNUP SHOWED SOME ROUGHNESS, SO THE PILOT CONTINUED THE RUNUP UNTIL THE ENGINE RAN SMOOTHLY. THE ENGINE LOST POWER SHORTLY AFTER CLIMBOUT AND A SUSTAINED TURN. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM SHOWED WATER CONTAMINATION THROUGHOUT. THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN RETROFITTED WITH QUICK DRAIN VALVES IN PLACE OF THE ORIGINAL 1/8-INCH NPT SUMP PLUGS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT MAIN FUEL TANKS, AS MANDATED IN AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE 84-9-7. THE PILOT IS THE AIRPLANE OWNER AND IS AN AIRFRAME-AND-POWERPLANT MECHANIC.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:20 CST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMaule M-4-220C
Tail NumberN40614
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMatrinek Dennis P
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · GA-350-C1 · Reciprocating · 220
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 44 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 / 43 C
Altimeter29.81 inHg
Observation Time02:45
Weather SourceWFAC