# NTSB ANC16CA031: Maule M 6-235, N5650J, Fairbanks, AK, June 11, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 11, 2016, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.089996, -148.080001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.0900&lon=-148.0800&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 93415 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC16CA031 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93415/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93415 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC16CA031 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to land on terrain unsuitable for a wheel equipped airplane. ## 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-6-235, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that while attempting to assess the suitability of a gravel-covered ridge top for future landings in his tail-wheel equipped airplane, he attempted a full flap landing on the main wheels. After bouncing twice, he aborted the landing and adjusted the flaps to 40 degrees and applied full power. During the subsequent takeoff, he felt something hit the airplane, but elected to continue the takeoff and proceed to his final destination. During a postflight inspection, the pilot discovered substantial damage to the lower cross member structure of the fuselage. The pilot stated there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that while attempting to assess the suitability of a gravel-covered ridge top for future landings in his tail-wheel equipped airplane, he attempted a full flap landing on the main wheels. After bouncing twice, he aborted the landing and adjusted the flaps to 40 degrees and applied full power. During the subsequent takeoff, he felt something hit the airplane, but elected to continue the takeoff and proceed to his final destination. During a postflight inspection, the pilot discovered substantial damage to the lower cross member structure of the fuselage. The pilot stated there were no pre-accident mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5650J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5650J), registered now, S/N 7420C, built 1982 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7420C - Year built: 1982 - Airframe hours: 3088.7 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 2016, 12 hours before - Departed: AK28, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: 25AA, Fairbanks, AK - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 25, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 681 total, 149 in this make and model, 608 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft broken - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.73 inHg - Observed at: PAFA, 43 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 20160611009319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160611009319A), Jun 11, 2016: Maule M-6-235, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to land on an off runway plateau which seemed to be flat and smooth. At touchdown he hit a bump then hit another very hard bump that bounced… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93415. 555 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 555 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445670&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.