N12010

On December 16, 1995, at 1800 mountain standard time (mst), a Maule M-4, N12010, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged, when it collided with terrain, following a loss of engine power shortly after takeoff. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported minor injuries, the two passengers were uninjured. The flight departed from Hot Springs, South Dakota, en route to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, exact time unknown.

During a telephone interview with the pilot on December 18, 1995 the pilot explained the reason for the loss of power. He said that in an attempt to increase the amount of cabin heat, he closed off the two air inlets to the engine with cardboard. One air inlet allows cooling air to enter the cowling, the second air inlet supplies air to the carburetor. The pilot reported that after takeoff the airplane would not climb.

The airplane's propeller, firewall and fuselage longerons were bent, and the main landing gear was knocked off during the forced landing.