# NTSB ANC93LA109: Maule M4, N9872M, Iliamna, AK, July 2, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 2, 1993, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Iliamna, AK
- Coordinates: 59.84959, -154.55957 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.8496&lon=-154.5596&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2375
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC93LA109
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2375/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC93LA109

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S IMPROPER TAXI SPEED.  A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE ROUGH WATER.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - water,rough (contributing factor)
  - taxispeed - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

DURING THE STEP TAXI THE FLIGHT ENCOUNTERED ROUGH WATER AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Factual narrative

On July 2, 1993, at 1000 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Maule M4 airplane, N9872M, registered to and operated by the pilot in command, nosed over while taxiing on Char Lake, approximately 20 miles southwest of Iliamna, Alaska.  The private certificated pilot and one passenger, the sole occupants, were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed Port Alsworth and the destination was Char Lake.  No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

During a telephone interview, the pilot in command told the NTSB investigator in charge that he was performing a downwind taxi when the left float tucked beneath the water causing the airplane to roll inverted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9872M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9872M), registered now, S/N 1054C, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M4
- Registry model: [Maule M-4-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-210c) (registry code 5460112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1054C
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-A 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Pfeifer, Roger A.
- Registered owner: Pfeifer, Roger A.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1993, 28 hours before
- Destination: CHAR LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °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 19930702021999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930702021999A), Jul 2, 1993: Maule M4210C, Iliamna, AK, Substantial damage. Dipped a float while water taxi in gusty downwind. Wind raised tail. Floatplane rolled inverted.

## Other investigations on N9872M (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 ANC82DA065](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC82DA065), Aug 4, 1982: Maule M-4-210C (N9872M), Eagle River, AK, substantial damage

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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