Maule M-5-180C accident near Marshfield, Massachusetts, November 15, 2013
On November 15, 2013 at about 8:45 pm local time, a 1984 Maule M-5-180C, registered N76RD, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Marshfield, Massachusetts (Marshfield Municipal Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined in postaccident examinations because fire damage precluded testing of the fuel and several engine accessories.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 15, 2013 · about 8:45 pm local time
- Place
- Marshfield, Massachusetts · Marshfield Municipal Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-5-180C, built 1984 · all M-5-180Cs on the register
- Registration
- N76RD · registry record · serial 8034C
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the airplane departed with adequate fuel onboard (about 40 gallons) but that, about 400 feet above ground level, the engine lost partial power. Specifically, the rpm dropped to 1,500, and the engine began to "backfire." The pilot turned the airplane to avoid some houses and performed a forced landing into trees. After the impact, a fire ensued and consumed most of the wreckage. Subsequent examination of the engine and propeller governor did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Several engine accessories, including the magnetos and carburetor, could not be tested due to heat and impact damage. Additionally, no fuel samples could be tested because all of the fuel was consumed in the fire. The reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine sea; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 16,300 hours in all; 2,352 in this make and model; 48 in the last 90 days; 40 in the last 30 days; 2,000 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 2, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,834 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 23, 2013; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 2,834 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: GHG Marshfield MA at 8:45 pm
- Destination: 5B6 Falmouth MA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 2,999 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 10 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 57°F (14°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from GHG, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA14LA043.