# NTSB ANC82DA090: Maule M-5, N51470, Nr. Mcgrath, AK, September 4, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 4, 1982, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Nr. Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.610527, -154.779678 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6105&lon=-154.7797&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 4, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72056
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82DA090
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72056/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA090

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT BEGAN A TAKEOFF FROM AN UNIMPROVED STRIP WITH TWO PASSENGERS ON BOARD. THE WINDS WERE BLOWING FROM THE NORTHEAST AT 20 GUSTING 35 KNOTS. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT AFTER THE PLANE HAD ROLLED ABOUT 300 FT, THE AIRSPEED INDICATED OVER 40 KTS. AFTER ROLLING ABOUT 380 FT, THE PILOT TOOK OFF. HE STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT FLEW MOMENTARILY, THEN DROPPED SUDDENLY AND BOUNCED OFF THE END OF THE STRIP. THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED SLOWLY INTO RISING TERRAIN CLIPPING THE TOP OF BRUSH. ABOUT 500 FT BEYOND THE STRIP, THE PILOT REALIZED HE WOULD NOT CLEAR LARGER TREES, SO HE LOWERED THE NOSE AND FLEW INTO THE SMALL TREES. REPORTEDLY, THE TAKEOFF AREA WAS SUBJECT TO DOWNDRAFTS WHEN THE WIND WAS BLOWING FROM THE EAST. THE ELEVATION OF THE STRIP WAS ABOUT 1800 FT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51470](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51470-1989-04-07), registration cancelled 1989-04-07, S/N 6009C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5
- Registry model: [Maule M-5-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-210c) (registry code 5460134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6009C
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: George E. Palmer
- Registered owner: George E. Palmer
- Departed: NR. MCGRATH, AK
- Destination: MCG, MCGRATH, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: Unimproved Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 1,641 total, 1,641 in this make and model, 1,610 as pilot in command, 187 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 20 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 122 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19820904046979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820904046979A), Sep 4, 1982: Maule M5210C, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. Made early liftoff from unimproved strip. Slow climb speed and rising terrain culminated in flying into trees.

## Other investigations on N51470 (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 ANC76DAG44](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG44), Sep 27, 1975: Maule M-5 (N51470), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage

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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