# NTSB ANC91LA154: Maule M-5, N51645, Purkeypile Mine, AK, September 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 24, 1991, 18:00 local (Sep 25, 1991, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Purkeypile Mine, AK
- Coordinates: 55.920211, -159.490524 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=55.9202&lon=-159.4905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5627
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA154
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5627/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA154

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT ON THE GRAVEL BAR.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S INATTENTIVENESS AND THE DITCH IN THE GRAVEL BAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE MISTAKENLY LANDED ON A DIFFERENT PART OF THE GRAVEL BAR THAN HE HAD INTENDED.  DURING THE LANDING ROLL HE SAW A DITCH TO HIS FRONT, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE THE AIRPLANE RAN INTO IT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N51645](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N51645-2013-09-13), registration cancelled 2013-09-13, S/N 6051C, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5
- Registry model: [Maule M-5-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-210c) (registry code 5460134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6510C
- Airframe hours: 1300
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: George Edwin Palmer
- Registered owner: George Edwin Palmer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 1990, 90 hours before
- Departed: NONE, MYSTIC LAKE, AK
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 4,594 total, 3,300 in this make and model, 4,492 as pilot in command, 134 in the last 90 days, 71 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken

## 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 19910924043149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910924043149A), Sep 24, 1991: Maule M5210C, Purkeypile Mine, AK, Substantial damage. Overshot gravel bar landing area and ran into a ditch.

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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