# NTSB ANC93LA036: Maule M5, N9176E, Chena Hot Sprng, AK, February 20, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1993, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Chena Hot Sprng, AK
- Coordinates: 64.009681, -144.68074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.0097&lon=-144.6807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5865
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5865/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA036

## Probable cause

THE TOTAL FAILURE OF THE LANDING GEAR AXLE AS A RESULT OF A PRE EXISTING FRACTURE IN THE AXLE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,axle - fractured (cause)
  - landing gear,axle - failure,total (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE SIGHTSEEING FLIGHT, CONDUCTED UNDER 14 CFR PART 91, CRASHED ON LANDING. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE UPON MAKING INITIAL CONTACT WITH THE SNOW COVERED SURFACE, THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR TO A HEIGHT OF TWO TO THREE FEET AND THE RIGHT SKI SEPARATED FROM THE LANDING GEAR STRUCTURE.  POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION DISCLOSED THAT THE FRACTURE OCCURRED AT THE TUBULAR AXLE FLANGE OF THE LANDING GEAR.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE FRACTURE REVEALED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL AREAS AT THE 12 AND 6 O'CLOCK POSITION OF THE FRACTURE SURFACE THAT WERE VERY BRIGHT AND ROUGH.  SURFACE AREAS AT THE 3 AND 9 O'CLOCK POSITION WERE DARKER, GRAYISH IN COLOR AND THE SURFACE WAS SOMEWHAT SMOOTHER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9176E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9176E), registered now, S/N 7127C, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M5
- Registry model: [Maule M-7-235A](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235a) (registry code 5460107) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41585, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7127C
- Airframe hours: 1217
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J1A50 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Seeley, Christopher R., doing business as Fairbanks Float Plane Tours
- Registered owner: Seeley, Christopher R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1992, 43 hours before
- Airport: CHS, Chena Hot Springs Resort

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 1,916 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 1,700 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 27 °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 19930220002989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930220002989A), Feb 20, 1993: Maule M5235C, Chena Hot Sprin, AK, Substantial damage. Struck bump on snow compacted runway. Ballooned,came back down. Swerved. Nosed over. Right axle broke. Prior cracks

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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