# Accident 20210213000539A: Maule M-6-235, Tordrillo Mtns, AK, February 13, 2021

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: February 13, 2021, 13:00 local time
- Place: Tordrillo Mtns, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Touchdown
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.3364° N, 152.0164° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3364&lon=-152.0164&mi=10
- Aircraft: N56517, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56517) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Maule M-6-235 (registry code 5460160, https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540 series (registry code 41530, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-6-235
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 2
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 1,996 total, 900 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC21LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA017) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210213000539A

## Narrative

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

PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING A LANDING ON A GLACIER WITH DEEP SNOW PACK WITH A SKI EQUIPPED AIRCRAFT. PILOT MADE ONE PASS AS TO "DRAG" THE SELECTED LANDING SPOT TO CHECK SNOW CONDITIONS AND "LAY A TRACK" FOR FUTURE LANDING. UPON THE SECOND PASS TO "DRAG & PACK SNOW", PILOT LET THE AIRCRAFT DESCEND TOO RAPIDLY AND UPON IMPACT WITH THE SNOW, THE FRONT TIPS OF THE SKIS DUG INTO THE SNOW CAUSING THE AIRCRAFT TO FLIP AND COME TO REST INVERTED. BOTH PILOT AND PASSENGER EXITED THE AIRCRAFT WITH MINOR INJURIES.

## 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 ANC21LA017](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC21LA017), Feb 13, 2021: Maule M-6-235 (N56517), Tyonek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in the airplane encountering deep snow and coming to rest inverted.

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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