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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 29, 1988 · Maule M-5-210C · N325X

Clarksville, VA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 29, 1988
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Clarksville, VA
Aircraft
Maule M-5-210C
Tail Number
N325X
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
BFO88FA085

WITNESSES REPORTED LOW CLOUDS, POOR VISIBILITY, AND FOG WHEN THE ACFT TOOK OFF. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT CIRCLED THE AIRPORT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENGINE SOUND INCREASED AND DECREASED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE ACFT DESCENDED AND CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT WAS INSTRUMENT RATED; HOWEVER THERE WAS NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED FOR THE FLIGHT. RECORDS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO DETERMINE THE PLT'S INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. POST MORTEM EXAMS DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OR INCAPACITATION.

NTSB Probable Cause

INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL AS A RESULT OF PILOT DISORIENTATION WHEN THE PILOT TRIED TO CONDUCT VFR FLIGHT INTO IMC. LOW CLOUDS, POOR VISIBILITY, FOG AND POOR DECISION ARE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

Full Narrative

WITNESSES REPORTED LOW CLOUDS, POOR VISIBILITY, AND FOG WHEN THE ACFT TOOK OFF. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ACFT CIRCLED THE AIRPORT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. WITNESSES REPORTED THE ENGINE SOUND INCREASED AND DECREASED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE ACFT DESCENDED AND CRASHED IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT WAS INSTRUMENT RATED; HOWEVER THERE WAS NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED FOR THE FLIGHT. RECORDS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO DETERMINE THE PLT'S INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY. EXAMINATION OF THE ACFT DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. POST MORTEM EXAMS DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT OR INCAPACITATION.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time06:25 EDT
Nearest Airport1nm S
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMaule M-5-210C
Tail NumberN325X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · IO-360-D · Reciprocating · 210
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsIMC
LightDark Night
WindCalm
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

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Appendix: Source Data