# NTSB ANC91DAG02: David K. Maxwell MAX-1, N4921S, Sutton, AK, May 22, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1991, 21:00 local (May 22, 1991, 05:00 UTC)
- Place: Sutton, AK
- Coordinates: 61.740215, -148.219238 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7402&lon=-148.2192&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5472
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91DAG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5472/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91DAG02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE IN MAINTAINING AIRSPEED AND NOT IDENTIFYING THE STALL DURING THE DESCENT FOR LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, descent - normal
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE ALLOWED THE AIRPLANE TO FLY SO SLOW THAT HE STALLED IT DURING THE DESCENT FOR LANDING AND WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER DUE TO A LACK OF SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4921S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4921S-2018-03-15), registration cancelled 2018-03-15, S/N 55, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DAVID K. MAXWELL MAX-1
- Registry model: [Maxwell David K MAX I](https://openairdocs.org/model/maxwell-david-k-max-i) (registry code 05613BG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Cuyuna ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/cuyuna-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 19050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 55
- Airframe hours: 196
- Engines: CUYUNA 60 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stanley R. Dapkus
- Registered owner: David K. Maxwell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000, 11 hours before
- Departed: WASILLA, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 50 total, 25 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 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 19910521016769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910521016769A), May 21, 1991: Amtr AVIDFLYER, Sutton, AK, Substantial damage. Stalled and crashed into trees on approach to a grass strip.

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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