# NTSB ANC00LA090: Maule ML-5, N6194M, Wasilla, AK, July 15, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 14, 2000, 17:00 local (Jul 15, 2000, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Wasilla, AK - Location: 61.5750° N, 149.5098° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs from NTSB’s distance and direction from WASILLA (IYS), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5750&lon=-149.5098&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 49708 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC00LA090 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49708/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA090 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of the fuel tank selector, resulting in fuel starvation. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - swampy ## Analysis The pilot said he knew prior to takeoff that the left wing tank was almost empty and that he needed to switch to the right fuel tank. He said that after his initial takeoff, as soon as he turned away from the runway, the engine lost all power. He indicated he switched the fuel selector to the right tank, and turned the airplane back toward the runway. The engine did not restart, and there was not enough altitude to reach the runway. The airplane landed in a swampy area, and sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right wing lift struts. ## Factual narrative On July 14, 2000, about 1700 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Maule ML-5 airplane, N6194M, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing after takeoff from the New Wasilla Airport, Wasilla, Alaska. The personal flight was being conducted under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The solo private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the New Wasilla Airport about 1655. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on July 16, and in his NTSB Pilot/Operator report, the pilot said he intended to remain within the landing pattern and perform touch and go landings. He stated he knew prior to takeoff that the left wing tank was almost empty and that he needed to switch to the right fuel tank. He said that after his initial takeoff, as soon as he turned away from the runway, the engine lost all power. He indicated he switched the fuel selector to the right tank, and turned the airplane back toward the runway. He said the engine did not restart, and there was not enough altitude to reach the runway. The airplane landed in a swampy area, and sustained substantial damage to the right wing and right wing lift struts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6194M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6194M-2007-10-26), registration cancelled 2007-10-26, S/N 7187C, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule ML-5 - Registry model: [Maule M-5-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (registry code 5460135) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7187C - Airframe hours: 1713 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry Olson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: IYS - Airport: IYS, New Wasilla, runway 21, 3,700 × 75 ft, gravel ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 8,000 total, 1,800 in this make and model, 8,000 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20000714042239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000714042239A), Jul 14, 2000: Maule M5235C, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) Airman was preparing for take-off to practice take-off and landings. He was aware of a near empty fuel tank discovered during his pre-flight inspection.… ## Other investigations on N6194M (2) 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 ANC04FA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC04FA092), Aug 15, 2004: Maule M-5-235C (N6194M), Seward, AK, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The failure of an aviation mechanic/inspector to adequately inspect the pilot/owner's work during the engine overhaul, which resulted in a loss of engine oil and engine power during cruise flight,… - [NTSB FTW80DPM01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW80DPM01), Oct 9, 1979: Maule M-5 (N6194M), Henryetta, OK, substantial damage 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.