# NTSB ANC90LA081: Maule M4, N4623T, L. Susitna Riv, AK, June 1, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 1, 1990, 13:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: L. Susitna Riv, AK
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5374
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC90LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5374/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC90LA081

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FUEL MISMANAGEMENT IN NOT HAVING SUFFICIENT FUEL TO REACH HIS DESTINATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE A FLIGHT FROM ANCHORAGE TO MCGRATH AND RETURN WITHOUT REFUELING. HE TOPPED OFF THE FUEL TANKS IN ANCHORAGE PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. PRIOR TO LEAVING MCGRATH, HE VISUALLY INSPECTED, BUT DID NOT STICK THE TANKS. HE THOUGHT THE FUEL TANKS WERE SLIGHTLY MORE THAN ONE-HALF FULL. APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES FROM ANCHORAGE THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED. A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE IN THE TUNDRA. THE PILOT LATER STATED THAT IT IS MOST LIKELY THAT THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4623T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4623T), registered now, S/N 91 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M4
- Registry model: [Maule M-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4) (registry code 5460104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 91
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Burts, Douglas A
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: MCG, MCGRATH, AK
- Destination: ANC, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: NONE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 510 total, 20 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900601017979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900601017979A), Jun 1, 1990: Maule M4, Little Susitna, AK, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel en route. Crash landed on tundra.

## Other investigations on N4623T (3)

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 ANC99LA152](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA152), Sep 24, 1999: Maule ML-4 (N4623T), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The improper (reversed) connection of the elevator control cables by the owner/pilot-mechanic, and the failure to have the installation inspected by another mechanic.
- [NTSB SEA83LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83LA200), Sep 3, 1983: Maule M-4 (N4623T), Monroe, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB DEN79DTE39](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN79DTE39), May 26, 1979: Maule M-4 (N4623T), Englewood, CO, 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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