# NTSB ANC03CA109: Maule M-6-235, N4564B, Kenai, AK, September 6, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 6, 2003, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Kenai, AK - Coordinates: 60.916667, -151.949996 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.9167&lon=-151.9500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57890 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC03CA109 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57890/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03CA109 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance during an intentional go-around, which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - object - tree(s) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The private certificated pilot reported that he intended to inspect the surface of an off airport site by flying low over the site, then performing a go-around, and landing if the site looked acceptable. During the approach, as the airplane passed over the approach end of the site, the pilot applied full engine power, and raised the nose in an attempt climb, but the airplane failed to clear the trees at the end of the site. The airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On September 6, 2003, about 1130 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Maule M-6-235 airplane, N4564B, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with trees during an attempted go-around at a remote off airport site, about 38 miles west-northwest of Kenai, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private certificated pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Kenai Municipal Airport at 1045, and no flight plan was filed. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on September 9, the pilot stated that before landing at the 800 feet long by 60 feet wide site, he intended to inspect the surface of the site by flying low over the site, then performing a go-around, and landing if the site looked acceptable. He said that during the approach, as the airplane passed over the approach end of the site, he applied full engine power, and raised the nose in an attempt climb, but the airplane failed to clear the trees at the end of the site. The airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4564B](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4564B), registered now, S/N 7436C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-6-235 - Registry model: [Maule M-6-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (registry code 5460160) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7436C - Airframe hours: 1455 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roger L. Cramer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 24, 2003, 20.3 hours before - Departed: ENA, Kenai, AK - Destination: Kenai, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 5, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 881 total, 379 in this make and model, 799 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 54 °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 20030906026509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030906026509A), Sep 6, 2003: Maule M6235, Kenai, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot planned on making a low approach over a remote landing site to assure that it was safe. He states upon reaching the approach end of the runway,… 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.