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September 3, 2004 · Maule MX-7-235 · N660HB

Greenville, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Greenville, FL
Aircraft
Maule MX-7-235
Tail Number
N660HB
Operator
Stephen D Rathert
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA04LA126

The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to reposition the airplane due to Hurricane Francis. He visually checked the fuel tanks before the flight departed and noted the level in both was within 3 inches from the top. The flight departed, and initially climbed to 1,000 feet mean sea level (msl), then later climbed to 1,500 feet msl. When the flight was near Monticello, Florida, the engine sputtered and he maneuvered the airplane towards a nearby lake. He turned base and final for landing on the lake and with 40 degrees of flaps selected, the airplane cleared tall trees near the lake. After clearing the trees he pushed the yoke forward to descend, which caused the airplane to accelerate. He landed on the water but ran out of room and the left wing collided with a submerged cypress tree. He later stated the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion. According to a mechanic who helped recover the airplane, both fuel tanks were drained and a total of approximately 1.5 gallons of fuel were recovered. The mechanic further reported that the total unusable fuel capacity for each fuel tank is 1.5 gallons.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning/decision which resulted in fuel exhaustion. The pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation to ensure an adequate fuel supply is a contributing factor.

Full Narrative

On September 3, 2004, about 1145 eastern daylight time, a Maule MX-7-235, N660HB, registered to Key Largo Seaplane Service, LLC, collided with a tree during a forced landing on Lake Shehee, near Greenville, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight from Prairie Lake Private Residential Seaplane Mooring Facility, Altamonte Springs, Florida, to a lake located near Spence Airport, Moultrie, Georgia. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot, and one passenger were not injured. The flight originated about 1030, from the Prairie Lake Private Residential Seaplane Mooring Facility. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to reposition the airplane due to Hurricane Francis. He visually checked the fuel tanks before the flight departed and noted the level in both was within 3 inches from the top. The flight departed, and initially climbed to 1,000 feet mean sea level (msl), then later climbed to 1,500 feet msl. When the flight was near Monticello, Florida, the engine sputtered and he maneuvered the airplane towards a nearby lake. He turned base and final for landing on the lake and with 40 degrees of flaps selected, the airplane cleared tall trees near the lake. After clearing the trees he pushed the yoke forward to descend, which caused the airplane to accelerate. He landed on the water but ran out of room and the left wing collided with a submerged cypress tree. He later stated the loss of engine power was due to fuel exhaustion. According to a mechanic who helped recover the airplane, both fuel tanks were drained and a total of approximately 1.5 gallons of fuel were recovered. The mechanic further reported that the total unusable fuel capacity for each fuel tank is 1.5 gallons.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMaule MX-7-235
Tail NumberN660HB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorStephen D Rathert
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-W1A5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats5

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 9 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2200 ft
Altimeter30.05 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data