Maule M4-210C accident near Willows, California, June 16, 2000
On June 16, 2000 at about 2:55 pm local time, a Maule M4-210C, registered N377BC, was destroyed in an accident near Willows, California (Willows-Glenn County Airp airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Failure of the pilot to maintain an adequate airspeed margin while maneuvering in steep turns at low altitude in gusty and strong tailwind conditions, which lead to a wind shear encounter and a stall/spin. A contributing factor in the accident was the pilot's diverted attention due to looking at antelope on the ground, and, his decision to attempt the steep turns at low altitude.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2000 · about 2:55 pm local time
- Place
- Willows, California · Willows-Glenn County Airp · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M4-210C · all M4-210Cs on the register
- Registration
- N377BC · registry record · serial 1024C
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
A witness saw the airplane complete the second and last set of two 360-degree turns just above treetop level over a herd of antelope and then descend to ground impact in a steep nose down attitude. This airplane was the last in a group of six other aircraft going to the same destination. Initial responders to the accident site said that a herd of antelope was in the immediate vicinity of the wreckage. Interviews with the other pilot's in the group revealed that both the pilot and passenger were avid animal lovers. They heard the pilot announce in a normal voice that he was turning downwind to base on the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF). No other transmissions were heard from the airplane. The ground witness saw the airplane flying northbound at low level, and then enter the first set of steep 360-degree turns. The airplane ended this maneuver descending towards the ground in wings level flight and then rising up again, with a turn southbound. The airplane climbed above the tree line, leveled off, and then entered the second set of steep 360-degree turns, which culminated in the accident. Winds in the area were recorded from the north-northwest at 32 mph gusting to 42 mph. As the pilot turned from crosswind to downwind while in a steep turn about the antelope herd on the ground, it is likely that the airplane encountered strong wind shear like tailwind condition, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin. There were no discrepancies noted with the aircraft and engine.
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: 757 hours in all; 149 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 7 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,707 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 13, 2000
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-360-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 0Q3 Sonoma CA at 2:00 pm
- Destination: WLW
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 4,506 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 21 knots, gusting 27
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 183°F (84°C), dew point 90°F (32°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 2:55 pm from RBL, 45 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.