# NTSB ANC88LA143: Maule M-4, N2044U, Cordova, AK, September 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 18, 1988, 12:07 local (20:07 UTC)
- Place: Cordova, AK
- Coordinates: 60.789276, -145.609252 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.7893&lon=-145.6093&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 2, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5084
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA143
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5084/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA143

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - water (cause)
  - aircraft service - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - tundra (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ON BASE LEG TO THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER FORCING THE PILOT TO LAND THE AIRPLANE ON THE TUNDRA SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. UPON LANDING THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE SHOWED WATER IN THE CARBURETOR. THE WATER WAS DRAINED AND THE ENGINE STARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE PIC STATED THAT HE LAST REFUELED HIS ACFT 1 WEEK EARLIER FROM HIS OWN FUEL TANK THAT WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AQUACON GO-NO-GO FILTER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2044U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2044U-2017-07-20), registration cancelled 2017-07-20, S/N 2038C, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-4
- Registry model: [Maule M-4-220C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-220c) (registry code 5460114) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A-350SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-350ser) (registry code 27023, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2038C
- Airframe hours: 1976
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350-C1 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roy Vanderpool
- Registered owner: Roy Vanderpool
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 1988, 11 hours before
- Departed: BERING RIVER, AK
- Airport: CDV, Cordova, runway 34, 1,900 × 30 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 7,000 total, 350 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °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 19880918044809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880918044809A), Sep 18, 1988: Maule M4220C, Cordova, AK, Substantial damage. Engine quit on approach to airport. Landed in tundra and nosed over. Found water in fuel from pilots fuel source.

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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