# NTSB ANC01LA024: Maule M-5, N5644N, King Salmon, AK, December 16, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 16, 2000, 17:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: King Salmon, AK - Coordinates: 58.750923, -156.540512 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.7509&lon=-156.5405&mi=10 - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 17, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 50810 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50810/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA024 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power during the landing approach due to the pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane and contamination (water) in the carburetor. ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was beginning a landing approach, and when he reduced engine power, the engine sputtered. The pilot said he turned the engine boost pump on, and verified that the fuel selector was on the 'BOTH' position. He then increased the throttle control, and the engine quit. The airplane descended and collided with three runway approach lighting system assemblies, short of the runway threshold. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, the left wingtip, and the leading edge of the right wing. Following the accident, the airplane was examined by a mechanic who found 1 1/2 to 2 inches of water in the carburetor. ## Factual narrative On December 16, 2000, about 1710 Alaska standard time, a tundra tire-equipped Maule M-5 airplane, N5644N, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at the King Salmon Airport, King Salmon, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR), local area personal flight, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on December 17, 2000, the pilot said he was planning to land on runway 11 at King Salmon. When he reduced engine power during the landing approach, the engine sputtered. The pilot said he turned the engine boost pump on, and verified that the fuel selector was on the "BOTH" position. He then increased the throttle control, and the engine quit. The airplane descended and collided with three runway approach lighting system assemblies, short of the runway threshold. The pilot said the airplane was equipped with a carburetor temperature gauge. Throughout the flight, and during the descent for landing, the pilot said he adjusted the carburetor heat control to keep the carburetor temperature out of the caution range. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, the left wingtip, and the leading edge of the right wing. At 1652, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) from the King Salmon airport was reporting, in part: Wind, 100 degrees (true) at 7 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, few at 4,500 feet, 15,000 feet scattered; temperature, 30 degrees F; dew point, 27 degrees F; altimeter, 29.27 inHg. On December 20, 2000, the pilot reported the airplane was examined by a mechanic in King Salmon. The mechanic found 1 1/2 to 2 inches of water in the carburetor. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5644N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5644N), registered now, S/N 7347C, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-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: 7347C - Airframe hours: 702 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John F. Bundy - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 21, 2000, 108 hours before - Departed: PAKN - Airport: PAKN, King Salmon, runway 11, 8,500 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 513 total, 91 in this make and model, 432 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 80° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: PAK ## 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 20001216041869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20001216041869A), Dec 16, 2000: Maule M5235C, King Salmon, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) On Saturday December 16, 2000, the pilot/owner and passenger were on a local flight in the vicinity of King Salmon, Alaska. The pilot stated that before… ## Other investigations on N5644N (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 LAX08CA011](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA011), Oct 15, 2007: Maule M-5-235-C (N5644N), Mesa, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. 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.