Maule M4-220C accident near Coolidge, Arizona, November 8, 1991
On November 8, 1991 at about 3:10 pm local time, a Maule M4-220C, registered N40625, was substantially damaged in an accident near Coolidge, Arizona (Valley Farms airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN DUE TO INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE UNFAVORABLE WIND REPORTED BY THE PILOT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 8, 1991 · about 3:10 pm local time
- Place
- Coolidge, Arizona · Valley Farms
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M4-220C · all M4-220Cs on the register
- Registration
- N40625 · no longer on the register · serial 2146C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF RUN ON RUNWAY 30 THE AIRCRAFT 'CROSSED A POINT OF CHANGE IN ELEVATION.' HE SAID THE AIRPLANE BECAME 'LIGHT' AND DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH AIRSPEED TO BE CONTROLLED BY THE RUDDER OR AILERON. HE SAID THE WIND CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO DRIFT OFF THE AIRSTRIP TO THE WEST. THE PILOT REPORTED THE WIND DIRECTION WAS FROM 080 DEGREES AT 7 MILES PER HOUR, GUSTING TO 10 MILES PER HOUR. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED, WITHOUT THE PILOT BEING ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL, UNTIL IT COLLIDED WITH A DITCH.
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: 735 hours in all; 701 in this make and model; 664 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,300 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 23, 1991; 37 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 220C (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: P06 Bullhead City AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 17, 2,600 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 080° at 7 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.
Other NTSB records under N40625 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.