LAX99LA084

Factual narrative

On January 29, 1999, at 1700 hours Pacific standard time, a Maule M-4-220C, N474W, owned and operated by the pilot, experienced a total loss of engine power between 400 and 500 feet above the ground during takeoff from the uncontrolled Jean Airport, Jean, Nevada. The pilot made a forced landing beyond the departure end of runway 02L, collided with the airport's perimeter fence, and was substantially damaged. The commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight, which was being performed under 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed. The flight was originating at the time of the mishap. While on scene, the pilot stated to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that he had flown to Jean with the intention of purchasing fuel, but he was not successful. Therefore, he planned to return to his home base at the Sandy Valley Airport. The pilot stated that he was aware the airplane's wing tanks were almost empty upon departure. He took off with the left main fuel tank selected. The pilot further indicated that he had evidently exhausted the fuel supply. During an April 7, 1999, telephone interview with the pilot he indicated that he desired to clarify the information he had previously given to the Safety Board investigator. The pilot stated that while taxing for takeoff he had attempted to transfer fuel from the right tip tank, which contained an estimated 17 or 18 gallons of fuel, to the right main tank, which contained an estimated 2 or 3 gallons of fuel. The pilot stated that the left tip tank was empty, and the left main tank contained about 5 gallons of fuel. The pilot further reported that he took off with the left main tank selected. He indicated his belief that the airplane's fuel transfer pump or the engine driven fuel pump had evidently malfunctioned. In the pilot's completed report, he reported that during his last takeoff, the airplane's fuel tanks contained between 17 and 20 gallons of fuel. He did not provide written evidence of the airplane having received an annual inspection, but verbally reported it was inspected during September or October 1998. Since the inspection, the airplane had been operated for about 6 hours. The pilot further reported that after the accident he had partially disassembled his airplane, and then transported the Franklin engine from Nevada to North Carolina. In North Carolina, the airplane's engine driven fuel pump was disassembled and examined by a Federal Aviation Administration certificated mechanic. The mechanic provided the following statement regarding his observations: "An excessive amount of trash was found in the fuel pump, including metal shavings. Also noted were small holes and cuts in the rubber diaphragm, possibly caused by the metal shavings." During a May 5, 1999 follow-up telephone interview with the mechanic, he reported to the Safety Board investigator that the debris which he had observed in the pump could have reduced the fuel pressure. This may have resulted in a partial loss of engine power. The pump appeared to have been original equipment and the mechanic found no evidence in the maintenance records that it had ever been replaced. According to the pilot, he had flown to the airport to purchase fuel but was not successful. Therefore, he planned to fly back to his home base airport. The pilot reported that three of his airplane's four fuel tanks were either empty or contained at most 5 gallons of fuel. The pilot selected the left main fuel tank for use during takeoff, and the airplane climbed between 400 and 500 feet before experiencing a total loss of engine power. Thereafter, the pilot made a forced landing beyond the departure end of the runway and collided with the airport's perimeter fence. While still on scene immediately following the accident, the pilot reported that he had evidently exhausted his airplane's fuel supply. Then, the pilot partially disassembled his airplane and moved it from Nevada to North Carolina. About 2 months later, the pilot indicated to the Safety Board investigator that he desired to clarify the initial information which he had provided. According to the pilot, during the accident flight his airplane had contained between 24 and 26 gallons of fuel, but only an estimated 5 gallons of this quantity was in the left main fuel tank, which was selected during takeoff. Additionally, the engine driven fuel pump was examined in North Carolina and was found contaminated with metal shavings and other debris. The rubber diaphragm had small holes and cuts in that could have reduced the pump's ability to deliver full designed pressure. No record was found in the maintenance records that the pump was ever replaced and it is believed that it is an original production installation on the engine. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12