# NTSB ANC88LA144: Maule M-5-235C, N56304, Porcupine Butte, AK, September 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1988, 16:00 local (Sep 17, 1988, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Porcupine Butte, AK
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 19, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5085
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC88LA144
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5085/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC88LA144

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD HE LANDED HARDER THAN HE INTENDED FROM ABOUT 3 TO 5 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED & THE ACFT CAME TO REST OFF THE AIRSTRIP.

## 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
- Airframe hours: 738
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas J. Bay
- Registered owner: Thomas Bay
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 18, 1988, 647 hours before
- Departed: PAQ, PALMER, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 140 total, 60 in this make and model, 70 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19880916051219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880916051219A), Sep 16, 1988: Maule M5235C, Porcupine Butte, AK, Substantial damage. Dropped aircraft onto landing strip. Impact collapsed the gear and bent a wing strut.

## 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 ANC84LA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA041), Mar 8, 1984: Maule M-5-235C (N56304), Mcgrath, 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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