# NTSB ANC91LA078: Maule M4-220-C, N40304, Fairbanks, AK, June 21, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1991, 00:07 local (08:07 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.810829, -147.71997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8108&lon=-147.7200&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5562
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5562/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA078

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AND EXCEEDING THE GROSS WEIGHT OF THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS HIGH VEGETATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall/mush, pilot in command
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF, THE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN A WOODED AREA NEXT TO THE AIRPORT.  AFTER THE ACCIDENT, IT WAS REVEALED THAT BOTH FLOATS HAD A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER IN THEM.  THE PIC STATED HE BELIEVED THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS OVER GROSS WEIGHT BY 200 POUNDS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40304](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40304), registered now, S/N 2078C, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M4-220-C
- 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: 2078C
- Airframe hours: 425
- Engines: FRANKLIN GA-350-C1 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Max C. Lyon Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 1991, 1 hours before
- Destination: NONE, NOWITNA RIVER, AK
- Airport: FAI, Fairbanks Int'L Airport, runway 1, 5,400 × 150 ft, water

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 478 total, 11 in this make and model, 448 as pilot in command, 44 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 80 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FAI, 1 nm away

## 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 19910621065589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910621065589A), Jun 21, 1991: Maule M4220C, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Took off over gross. Unable to climb,stalled into trees. Floats installed by pilot were filled with water and cargo

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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