# NTSB ANC12CA047: Maule M-4-220C, N615SD, Sterling, AK, May 13, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 13, 2012, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Sterling, AK - Coordinates: 60.54111, -150.599166 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.5411&lon=-150.5992&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Anchorage FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83878 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA047 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83878/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83878 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA047 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to use a preflight checklist and subsequent failure to turn on the airplane's fuel supply, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Fuel system: fuel selector/shutoff valve](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 176 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022823/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Inoperative; cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he did not use a preflight checklist, and, as a result, he did not turn the fuel selector valve to the "ON" position. During the initial climb, the engine lost power, and the airplane impacted terrain, sustaining substantial damage to both wings. The pilot said that the accident could have been prevented if he had used a preflight checklist. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he did not use a preflight checklist, and as a result, he did not turn the fuel selector valve to the "ON" position. During the initial climb, the engine lost power, and the airplane impacted terrain, receiving substantial damage to both wings. The pilot said that the accident could have been prevented through the use of a preflight checklist. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N615SD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N615SD), registered now, S/N 2083C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-4-220C - Registry model: [Maule M-4-220C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-220c) (registry code 5460114) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A-350-C1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-350-c1) (registry code 27042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2083C - Airframe hours: 1202 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350-C1 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Sterling, AK - Destination: Soldotna, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 1,676 total, 300 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 29.80 inHg - Observed at: PASX ## 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 20120513010889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120513010889A), May 13, 2012: Maule M-4-220C, Sterling, AK, Substantial damage. Airman stated that he operated the aircraft with the fuel selector in the "off" position and the engine quit shortly after takeoff. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83878. 529 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 529 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372810&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.