# NTSB ANC01LA131: Maule M-7-235B, N1007U, Koliganek, AK, September 1, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 2001, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Koliganek, AK - Coordinates: 59.843612, -156.462493 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8436&lon=-156.4625&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA-AL-ANC FSDO 03 - NTSB case key (mKey): 53173 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC01LA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53173/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA131 ## Probable cause The pilot's delay in aborting the takeoff. A factor in the accident was the pilot's diverted attention during the takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The private certificated pilot was departing a remote lake in a float-equipped airplane. The lake is about 1,500 feet long, and is a location the pilot has operated from in the past. The pilot said he taxied into the middle of the lake several times to check the wind conditions before takeoff. The wind appeared to shift from the northwest, to the west, about 12 knots. The pilot said he initiated one takeoff run, but aborted the takeoff. His second takeoff included a step turn toward the south, during which the airplane seemed to lose a slight amount of speed. The pilot decided to lower the flaps to assist in getting off the water and he reached for the flap handle. The pilot said that as he reached for the handle, he realized he was reaching for the area of the airplane where the flap handle is normally installed in his other airplane, a Piper PA-18. He was distracted by not finding the flap handle in the accident airplane. The airplane became airborne, but collided with the bank of the lake. The airplane was then launched upward in a steep nose-up attitude, and the pilot said a stall was eminent. He lowered the nose of the airplane, but the airplane rolled to the left, and collided with the ground. The left float assembly, the left wing, and fuselage were damaged. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 2001, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Maule M-7-235B airplane, N1007U, sustained substantial damage during takeoff from a remote lake, about 25 miles northeast of Koliganek, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country 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 September 4, the pilot reported that he was departing Frost Lake, which is about 1,500 feet long, and is a location the pilot has operated from in the past. The pilot said he taxied into the middle of the lake several times to check the wind conditions before takeoff. The wind appeared to shift from the northwest, to the west, about 12 knots. The pilot said he initiated one takeoff run, but aborted the takeoff. His second takeoff included a step turn toward the south, during which the airplane seemed to lose a slight amount of speed. The pilot decided to lower the flaps to assist in getting off the water and he reached for the flap handle. The pilot said that as he reached for the handle, he realized he was reaching for the area of the airplane where the flap handle is normally installed in his other airplane, a Piper PA-18. He was distracted by not finding the flap handle in the accident airplane. The airplane became airborne, but collided with the bank of the lake. The airplane was then launched upward in a steep nose-up attitude, and the pilot said a stall was eminent. He lowered the nose of the airplane, but the airplane rolled to the left, and collided with the ground. The left float assembly, the left wing, and fuselage were damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1007U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1007U), registered now, S/N 23047C, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-7-235B - Registry model: [Maule M-7-235B](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235b) (registry code 5460109) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 23047C - Airframe hours: 439 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry C. Kallam - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2000, 84 hours before - Departed: KOLIGANEK, AK - Destination: PALJ, PORT ALSWORTH, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review April 26, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,866 total, 439 in this make and model, 1,733 as pilot in command, 131 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 12 knots - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F ## 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 20010901036279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010901036279A), Sep 1, 2001: Maule M7235B, Koliganek, AK, No damage. (-23) On August 1st N1007U an M7 Maule was attempting a takeoff from a 1500 foot lake. The wind was 5MPH but was switching from north to south and back again.… 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.