# NTSB ANC91LA054: Maule M-4-220C, N40676, Beluga, AK, May 2, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 1, 1991, 16:45 local (May 2, 1991, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Beluga, AK
- Coordinates: 55.919952, -159.490371 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9200&lon=-159.4904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 5, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5539
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA054
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5539/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA054

## Probable cause

THE ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO UNDETERMINED CAUSES.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABILITY OF THE AVAILABLE LANDING AREA.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - normal
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE HAD REDUCED ENGINE POWER TO IDLE AND MADE A LOW PASS OVER A SNOW COVERED STRIP.  WHEN HE ADDED POWER TO RESUME THE FLIGHT, THE ENGINE FAILED.  THERE WAS NO SUITABLE FORCED LANDING AREA AVAILABLE.  THE PILOT DID NOT REMEMBER APPLYING CARBURETOR HEAT UNTIL AFTER THE ENGINE FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40676](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40676), registered now, S/N 2180C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-4-220C
- Registry model: [Maule M-4-220C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-220c) (registry code 5460114) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2180C
- Airframe hours: 1592
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A350-C1 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James D. Ferry
- Registered owner: James D. Ferry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 7, 1990, 3 hours before
- Departed: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 580 total, 220 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 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 19910501013869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910501013869A), May 1, 1991: Maule M4220C, Beluga, AK, Substantial damage. Made low pass over a landing sight. Engine failed respond on pull up. Landed in trees. Failed to use carburetor heat

## Other investigations on N40676 (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 ANC89LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA110), Jun 30, 1989: Maule M-4-2205 (N40676), Beluga, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY CORRECT FOR A CROSSWIND DURING LANDING WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.