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NTSB Report
March 31, 1985 · Maule M-5-235C · N386X
Pittsfield, MA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 31, 1985
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Pittsfield, MA
Aircraft
Maule M-5-235C
Tail Number
N386X
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC85LA096
DURING A PREFLT WX BRIEFING, THE PLT WAS ADVISED OF POSSIBLE MODERATE ICING IN CLOUDS FROM THE SURFACE TO 4000 FT. WHILE IN FLT, STRUCTURAL ICING CONDITIONS WERE ENCOUNTERED & RIME ICE ACCUMULATED ON THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO, CARB ICE CONDITIONS WERE ENCOUNTERED & FULL CARB HEAT WAS APPLIED. THE ACFT WAS GETTING NEAR THE DESTINATION, SO THE PLT ELECTED TO CONTINUE. HE TURNED THE CARB HEAT OFF FOR A SHORT WHILE, THEN ABOUT 8 MI FROM THE DESTINATION ARPT, HE TURNED IT BACK ON. AS THE ACFT APPROACHED THE ARPT, ICE BEGAN ACCUMULATING RAPIDLY ON THE WINGS, TIRES, STRUTS & WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS ALMOST TOTALLY COVERED WITH ICE. AFTER ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND, THE PLT TURNED BASE WITH ABOUT 16 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE ENG LOST POWER & WOULD NOT RESTART. AN EMERG LANDING WAS MADE IN A SMALL FIELD SHORT OF THE RWY WHERE THE GEAR COLLAPSED BEFORE THE ACFT STOPPED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.
Full Narrative
DURING A PREFLT WX BRIEFING, THE PLT WAS ADVISED OF POSSIBLE MODERATE ICING IN CLOUDS FROM THE SURFACE TO 4000 FT. WHILE IN FLT, STRUCTURAL ICING CONDITIONS WERE ENCOUNTERED & RIME ICE ACCUMULATED ON THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO, CARB ICE CONDITIONS WERE ENCOUNTERED & FULL CARB HEAT WAS APPLIED. THE ACFT WAS GETTING NEAR THE DESTINATION, SO THE PLT ELECTED TO CONTINUE. HE TURNED THE CARB HEAT OFF FOR A SHORT WHILE, THEN ABOUT 8 MI FROM THE DESTINATION ARPT, HE TURNED IT BACK ON. AS THE ACFT APPROACHED THE ARPT, ICE BEGAN ACCUMULATING RAPIDLY ON THE WINGS, TIRES, STRUTS & WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS ALMOST TOTALLY COVERED WITH ICE. AFTER ENTERING THE TRAFFIC PATTERN TO LAND, THE PLT TURNED BASE WITH ABOUT 16 INCHES OF MANIFOLD PRESSURE. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE ENG LOST POWER & WOULD NOT RESTART. AN EMERG LANDING WAS MADE IN A SMALL FIELD SHORT OF THE RWY WHERE THE GEAR COLLAPSED BEFORE THE ACFT STOPPED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 EST
Nearest AirportPittsfield Muni (0nm WSW)
Runway8
Runway Length5000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMaule M-5-235C
Tail NumberN386X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-J1A5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 35 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDusk
Wind80° @ 3 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingOvercast 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point32 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:30
Weather SourceWFAC