# NTSB ANC82FAA07: Maule M-5, N6172M, Fairbanks, AK, July 2, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1982, 11:20 local (19:20 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.80986, -147.719375 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8099&lon=-147.7194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70650
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC82FAA07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70650/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82FAA07

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
  - fuel system,carburetor - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - water (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - contamination (cause)
  - fuel system,pump - water (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

EARLIER IN THE DAY THE PLT RETURNED FROM A FLT AFTER EXPERIENCING A ROUGH RUNNING ENG & CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS. THE ACFT AGAIN DEPARTED THE CHENA MARINA ARPT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT LEVEL OFF APPROXIMATELY 300 TO 350 FT AGL. ONE WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT PITCHING UP & DOWN ERRACTICALLY AS IT LEVELED OFF. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A RIGHT BANK & WAS ROLLING OUT AFTER A 90 DEG HEADING CHANGE WHEN THE ENG SPUTTERED & QUIT. THE NOSE OF THE ACFT DROPPED & THE ACFT FELL IN A NEARLY VERTICAL ATTITUDE. ENG EXAMINATION REVEALED EVIDENCE OF WATER & RUST CONTAMINATION IN THE CARBURETOR & FUEL PUMP. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE ACFT WAS 379 POUNDS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT & THE AFT CG EXCEEDED BY 1.3 INCHES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6172M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6172M-2013-08-05), registration cancelled 2013-08-05, S/N 7184C, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5
- 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: 7184C
- Airframe hours: 744
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 250 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Doug W. Wrate
- Registered owner: Doug W. Wrate
- Departed: FAIRBANKS, AK
- Destination: LAKE ILLIAMA, AK
- Airport: Chena Marina, runway 19, 4,700 × 0 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,344 total, 730 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 4 knots
- Temperature: 151 °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 19820702026939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820702026939A), Jul 2, 1982: Maule M5235C, Fairbanks, AK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crash occurred after takeoff, aircraft turned right 90 degrees and fell vertically to ground.

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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