# NTSB ANC09CA029: Maule M-4-210C, N40684, Chickaloon, AK, April 4, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 4, 2009, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Chickaloon, AK - Coordinates: 61.916667, -148.116668 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.9167&lon=-148.1167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 28, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Airworthiness) - NTSB case key (mKey): 73614 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73614/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73614 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA029 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of an unsuitably rough and snow-covered landing area. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo private pilot was landing a wheel-equipped airplane at an off-airport, snow-covered site. During the landing roll, the airplane bounced when it encountered a small snowdrift. The pilot said that he attempted to recover but the airplane drifted to the right and nosed over when it touched down in deep snow. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wing lift struts. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted in his report to the NTSB that he should have selected a better area to land on. ## Factual narrative The solo private pilot was landing a wheel-equipped airplane at an off-airport, snow-covered site. During the landing roll the airplane bounced when it encountered a small snowdrift. The pilot said he attempted to recover, but the airplane drifted to the right and nosed over when it touched down in deep snow. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wing lift struts. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted in his report to the NTSB that he should have selected a better area to land on. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40684](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40684), registered now, S/N 1083C, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-4-210C - Registry model: [Maule M-4-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-210c) (registry code 5460112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1083C - Airframe hours: 1155 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-360 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Johnson Jeff - Registered owner: Johnson Jeff - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 8, 2008, 11 hours before - Departed: MRI, Anchorage, AK - Destination: Chickaloon, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 8, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 88 total, 18 in this make and model, 58 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 28 °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 20090404046869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090404046869A), Apr 4, 2009: Maule M-4-210C, Chickaloon, AK, Substantial damage. A relatively new and low time pilot with a private pilot certificate attempted to land Off Airport in wet and snow covered conditions. Pilot departed merrill… ## Other investigations on N40684 (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 FTW87LA169](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA169), Jul 10, 1987: Maule M-4-210C (N40684), Houston, TX, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC74DAG21](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC74DAG21-201624), Aug 17, 1973: Maule M4210C (N40684), Ninilchik, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 1, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73614. 714 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 714 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314062&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.