# Accident 20030720036259A: Maule M4220C, Kobuk, AK, July 20, 2003

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 20, 2003, 12:45 local time
- Place: Kobuk, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Forced/Precautionary Landing
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 66.9433° N, 156.9047° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=66.9433&lon=-156.9047&mi=10
- Aircraft: N40344, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40344) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Maule M-4-220C (registry code 5460114, https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-220c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Franklin 6A-350SER (registry code 27023, https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-350ser) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M4220C
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,080 total, 700 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC03LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA083) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030720036259A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ PILOT STATED THAT AFTER TAKEOFF FROM RUNWAY 26 AT DAHL CREEK, ALASKA HIS AIRCRAFT ENGINE GRADUALLY LOST POWER. HE MADE AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE AIRSTRIP, ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED WERE NOT ADEQUATE TO MAKE THE AIRSTRIP SO HE ELECTED TO KEEP THE AIRCRAFT LEVEL AND LAND IT IN THE TREES TO THE NORTH AND WEST OF THE AIRSTRIP. HE STATED AIRCRAFT DAMAGE WAS SUBSTANTIAL AND HE SUSTAINED MINOR CUTS.            (-23 AMENDMENT) PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD PLACED DIESEL FUEL IN HIS AIRCRAFT, INSTEAD OF AVIATION 100LL FUEL, DUE TO THE FACT THAT HIS FUEL DRUM WAS MISLABELED. MR. LYON STATED THAT HIS DIESEL FUEL CONTAINED BLUE DIE AND WAS BLUE IN COLOR WHEN HE CHECKED IT IN THE DRUM. ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC03LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA083), Jul 20, 2003: Maule M-4 (N40344), Kobuk, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadvertent use of diesel fuel in a gasoline engine which resulted in a partial loss of engine power, and subsequent collision with trees during a forced landing after takeoff. A factor…

## Other reports on N40344 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19860614061099I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860614061099I), Jun 14, 1986: Maule M4220C (N40344), Galena, AK, Minor damage. Landed in a crab causing collapse of right main gear. Wingtip and propeller damage.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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