# NTSB ANC09CA056: Maule M-5-235C, N407X, Wasilla, AK, June 12, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 12, 2009, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Coordinates: 61.603889, -149.27333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6039&lon=-149.2733&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration (Airworthiness)
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74064
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74064/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74064
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA056

## Probable cause

The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area with an unfavorable wind.

## 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-5-235C, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md)
- [Aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 63 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01060000/cases.md)
- [Wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was departing to the southwest in a float-equipped airplane, operated under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. He said that variable south-southeasterly winds required a correction for a left crosswind during his takeoff run. As the airplane climbed to 70 feet above the water, the airspeed began to decrease, and the airplane stopped climbing as it neared the departure end of the lake. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB he stated, in part: “It became apparent that the aircraft would not clear the trees at the end of the lake and there was insufficient room to land straight ahead.” The pilot indicated that as he turned the airplane to the left to avoid the trees, he lowered the nose to keep from stalling the airplane, and it descended at a high rate. The airplane’s floats struck the water, and the floats to fuselage struts collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and wing lift struts. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. He noted in his written statement to the NTSB that the accident might have been avoided if he had delayed his takeoff and waited for more favorable wind conditions, and if he had operated the airplane at a lower gross weight.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that he was departing to the southwest in a float-equipped airplane, operated under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. He said that variable south-southeasterly winds required a correction for a left crosswind during his takeoff run. As the airplane climbed to 70 feet above the water, the airspeed began to decrease, and the airplane stopped climbing as it neared the departure end of the lake. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB he stated, in part: “It became apparent that the aircraft would not clear the trees at the end of the lake and there was insufficient room to land straight ahead.” The pilot indicated that as he turned the airplane to the left to avoid the trees, he lowered the nose to keep from stalling the airplane, and it descended at a high rate. The airplane’s floats struck the water, and the floats to fuselage struts collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and wing lift struts. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. He noted in his written statement to the NTSB that the accident might have been avoided if he had delayed his takeoff and waited for more favorable wind conditions, and if he had operated the airplane at a lower gross weight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N407X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N407X), registered now, S/N 7041C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-235C
- 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: 7041C
- Airframe hours: 2200
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Holman Michael C
- Registered owner: Holman Michael C
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 18, 2009, 95 hours before
- Departed: 99Z, Wasilla, AK
- Destination: Kenai, AK
- Airport: 99Z, Finger Lake Seaplane Base, runway 23

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 50; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 12,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 200 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 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 20090612047239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090612047239A), Jun 12, 2009: Maule M-5-235C, Wasilla, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot stated that on 06/12/2009, at 1130 adt, he departed finger lake (99Z) for a flight to the seward, AK area. He stated he departed the lake in a sw…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 6, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74064. 673 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 673 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317005&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.

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