# NTSB ANC12CA089: Maule M-5-210C, N319X, Coldfoot, AK, August 18, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 18, 2012, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Coldfoot, AK - Coordinates: 68.132774, -149.479171 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=68.1328&lon=-149.4792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA Fairbanks FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84747 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC12CA089 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84747/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84747 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC12CA089 ## Probable cause The pilot's delayed decision to turn around while flying through a narrow mountain pass, which resulted in a forced landing and impact with terrain. ## 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-5-210C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Knowledge: knowledge of geographic area](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032030): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Maule M-5-210C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032030/cases.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032030/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Maule M-5-210C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: obscuration](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035030): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Maule M-5-210C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035030/cases.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 45 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035030/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401); cases with it: [Maule M-5-210C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Maule M-5-210C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-5-210C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule M-5-210C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was attempting to fly through a narrow mountain pass when he realized that the clouds were obscuring the top of the pass. He decided that the pass was too narrow to turn around, so he elected to land the airplane on a gravel access road. During the landing roll, the airplane hit a ditch, veered to the left, and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he was attempting to fly through a narrow mountain pass when he realized that the clouds were obscuring the top of the pass. He decided that the pass was too narrow to turn around, so he elected to land the airplane on a gravel access road. During the landing roll the airplane hit a ditch, veered to the left, and impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N319X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N319X-2015-05-13), registration cancelled 2015-05-13, S/N 6146C, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-210C - Registry model: [Maule M-5-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-210c) (registry code 5460134) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6146C - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-360 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: PABT, Bettles, AK - Destination: PAGB, Galbraith Lake, AK ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 29; injuries: none; military, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 21, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 1,250 total, 40 in this make and model, 70 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 100 ft broken - Temperature: 45 °F - Observed at: PAGB, 21 nm away ## 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 20120818018309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120818018309A), Aug 18, 2012: Maule M-5-210C, Coldfoot, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot and passenger left bettles intending to fly through atigun pass to north slope area. Pilot flew up into pass area with a low cloud deck blocking the pass… ## Other investigations on N319X (1) 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 ANC78DAG73](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC78DAG73), Jun 4, 1978: Maule M5210C (N319X), Homer, AK, destroyed ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84747. 773 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 773 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380284&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.