Maule MX-7-180AC accident near Buffalo, Minnesota, April 14, 2001
On April 14, 2001 at about 5:35 pm local time, a Maule MX-7-180AC, registered N4261E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Buffalo, Minnesota (Buffalo Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the water contamination of the aircraft's fuel system and the inadequate preflight performed by the pilot. The muddy terrain was a contributing factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 14, 2001 · about 5:35 pm local time
- Place
- Buffalo, Minnesota · Buffalo Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule MX-7-180AC · all MX-7-180ACs on the register
- Registration
- N4261E · registry record · serial 33001C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane landed on a muddy agricultural field following a total loss of engine power during an initial climb through 300-500 feet agl. The pilot obtained 8 gallons of aviation fuel from a fixed base operator. Post accident inspection of the airplane's fuel system revealed the presence of water in the airplane's fuel lines and carburetor. The lineman who fueled the airplane reported that it was his second day on the job and he had not received training in the handling of fuel with respect to fuel contamination.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,000 hours in all; 15 in this make and model; 15 in the last 30 days; 1,800 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 4, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 100 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-C4F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 8Y2 Buffalo MN at 12:35 pm
- Destination: FCM Minneapolis MN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 2,600 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 5:37 pm from MGG, 8 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.