# NTSB ANC87FA107: Maule M-6, N49846, Anchorage, AK, July 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1987, 13:54 local (21:54 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.220462, -149.850387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2205&lon=-149.8504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4780
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC87FA107
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4780/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC87FA107

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,partial (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - previous damage (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - fence (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHILE LANDING WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND FROM THE LEFT. THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED AND STRUCK A CHAIN LINK FENCE. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE FOUND THE BRAKE SHAFT BROKEN AT THE SHAFT REDUCTION RETAINING CLIP POINT. HE INDICATED THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN BROKEN FOR SOME TIME AS THE BRONZE RETAINER ALSO FAILED. HE ALSO ADMITTED TO BEARING DOWN WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE ON THE PEDAL WHEN THE AIRCRAFT STARTED SWERVING TOWARD THE AREA WEST OF THE RUNWAY. THE MOUNTING FOR THE BRAKE CYLINDER ASSEMBLY WAS FOUND BROKEN WITH SIGNATURES SIMILAR TO OVERLOAD FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49846](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49846-1989-06-15), registration cancelled 1989-06-15, S/N 7384C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-6
- Registry model: [Maule M-6-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (registry code 5460160) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7384C
- Airframe hours: 772
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-W1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Allen J. Shontz
- Registered owner: Allen J Shontz
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 11, 1986
- Departed: 5NK, NAKNEK, AK
- Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: MRI, Merrill Field, runway 33, 2,469 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 238 total, 25 in this make and model, 386 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MRI, 5 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 19870726038309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870726038309A), Jul 26, 1987: Maule M6235, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing downwind. Ground looped. Right brake failed due to excessive braking effort.

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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