# Accident 20230726015509A: Maule M-5-235C, Orcas Island, WA, July 26, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: July 26, 2023, 16:30 local time
- Place: Orcas Island, WA
- Airport: Orcas Island
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 48.6561° N, 122.9328° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6561&lon=-122.9328&mi=10
- Aircraft: N6201M, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6201M) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Maule M-5-235C (registry code 5460135, https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-235C
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 1
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 154 total
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR23LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA285) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230726015509A

## Narrative

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

ON JULY 26, 2023 WHILE SIGHTSEEING WITH (1) PAX AROUND ORCAS ISLAND, WA. PIC LOST ENGINE POWER ABOUT 3 MILES OUT AT AN ALTITUDE OF 900-1000 FEET FROM ORCAS ISLAND AIRPORT, WA. AFTER LOSING POWER, PIC ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE FUEL BOOST PUMP WITH NO CHANGE IN FUEL PRESSURE. PIC STATED THEY REFUELED PRIOR TO HEADING TO ORCAS ISLAND, WA AND FUEL SELECTOR WAS ON BOTH. AFTER LOSING POWER, PIC ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN FIELD, BUT MISSED LANDING SITE DUE TO WINDS AND POWERLINES IN VICINITY. PIC THEN ATTEMPTED 2ND LANDING AFTER OVER-SHOOTING ORIGINAL EMERGENCY LANDING SITE, BUT AIRCRAFT HIT (2) CATTLE FENCES CAUSING AIRCRAFT TO FLIP OVER. PIC SUSTAINED NO INJURY, PAX SUSTAINED MINOR INJURY.

## 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 WPR23LA285](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA285), Jul 27, 2023: Maule M-5-235C (N6201M), Eastsound, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s improper in-flight fuel management, which led to fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power.

## Other reports on N6201M (1)

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

- [Accident 19810613032389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810613032389A), Jun 13, 1981: Maule M5235C (N6201M), Zachary Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Wheel struck a rock during practice beach landing. Airplane flipped over into surf.

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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