# NTSB ANC84LA041: Maule M-5-235C, N56304, Mcgrath, AK, March 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 8, 1984, 11:45 local (15:45 UTC)
- Place: Mcgrath, AK
- Coordinates: 63.610511, -154.780456 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6105&lon=-154.7805&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA041
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA041

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT TOLD FLIGHT SERVICE PERSONNEL THAT THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE GROUND WHILE CIRCLING. HIS PASSENGER WAS ATTEMPTINGTO PHOTOGRAPH SOMETHING ON THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56304](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56304), registered now, S/N 7236C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-235C
- 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: 7236C
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Salvatora Pisciotta
- Registered owner: Maule Aircraft
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MCG, MCGRATH, AK
- Destination: MCG, MCGRATH, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MCG, 3 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 19840308005019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840308005019A), Mar 8, 1984: Maule M5235C, Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. Struck the ground while circlilng at a low altitude while the passenger was taking photos.

## Other investigations on N56304 (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 ANC88LA144](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA144), Sep 17, 1988: Maule M-5-235C (N56304), Porcupine Butte, 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.

---
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.