Maule M-4-220C accident near Keene, North Dakota, September 12, 2007
On September 12, 2007 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Maule M-4-220C, registered N40325, was substantially damaged in an accident near Keene, North Dakota. It was a business flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during takeoff due to the high crosswind condition. Contributing factors were the high, gusting crosswind, and the tree.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 12, 2007 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Keene, North Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-4-220C · all M-4-220Cs on the register
- Registration
- N40325 · no longer on the register · serial 2100C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Business flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane impacted a tree during takeoff from a gravel road. The road was oriented north-south and the piloted attempted to depart to the south. The pilot stated that during the takeoff, as he passed a building on the west side of the road, a "hell of a gust of wind" overpowered the airplane. He was unable to maintain control and the airplane subsequently impacted a tree along the east side of the road. He noted that winds were from the west at approximately 30 knots, with higher gusts. The pilot stated that there were no failures or malfunctions associated with the airplane prior to the accident.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 3,000 hours in all; 2,700 in this make and model; 30 in the last 30 days; 3,000 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: August 1, 2006
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,400 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A-350-C1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Keene ND at 7:30 pm
- Destination: PVT Dunn Center ND
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 180, 1,500 ft by 16 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 30 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.71 inHg
- Observation at 7:52 pm from ISN, 31 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.