# NTSB ANC94LA073: Maule M-5, N373X, Anchorage, AK, July 1, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 30, 1994, 16:55 local (Jul 1, 1994, 00:55 UTC)
- Place: Anchorage, AK
- Coordinates: 61.160686, -149.990081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1607&lon=-149.9901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 2516
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC94LA073
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2516/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC94LA073

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER LANDING TECHNIQUE WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING, TIRE FAILURE, AND EVENTUAL LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,tire - failure,total (cause)
  - level off - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE FIRST LANDING ATTEMPT THE AIRPLANE LANDED HARD AND BOUNCED, AND HE BALKED THE LANDING. DURING THE SECOND LANDING HE MADE A 3-POINT WHEEL TOUCHDOWN. THE AIRPLANE ROLLED UNEVENTFULLY FOR A SHORT DISTANCE, THEN VEERED UNCONTROLLABLY OFF THE STRIP INTO A DITCH. THE RIGHT WHEEL TIRE WAS FOUND TO HAVE A SLIT AND WAS DEFLATED.

## Factual narrative

On June 30, 1994, at 1620 Alaska daylight time (ADT), a wheel equipped Maule M-5 airplane, N373X, registered to and operated by the pilot-in-command (PIC), crashed during the landing rollout on runway 31 at the Lake Hood gravel strip in Anchorage, Alaska.  The private certificated pilot and his two passengers, the sole occupants were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The pleasure flight (fishing trip) operating under 14 CFR Part 91, last departed Homer, Alaska at 1530 and the intended destination was the Lake Hood strip.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and there was no flight plan in effect.

The PIC reported to the NTSB investigator-in-charge during the on scene investigation that during his first landing attempt the airplane landed hard, bounced back into the air, and he balked the landing.  During the second landing, he performed a wheeled three point touchdown in light and variable wind conditions.  The airplane rolled uneventfully for a short distance than began to diverge towards the left side of the runway at a rather sharp angle.  Opposite rudder and right wheel braking had no noticeable affect on the direction of the plane's movement.  The airplane continue left towards the North taxiway interlink and into a ditch substantially damaging the right wing just outboard of the wing support strut.  An on scene examination of the right wheel tire revealed that it had been cut.  No problems were found with the plane's wheel brake system.   system.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N373X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N373X), registered now, S/N 6176C, built 1976 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6176C
- Airframe hours: 870
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Amberger, Mark E.
- Registered owner: Amberger, Mark E.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 21, 1993, 28 hours before
- Departed: HOMER, AK
- Airport: Z41, Lake Hood, runway 31, 2,200 × 80 ft, gravel

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 429 total, 357 in this make and model, 376 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19940630017759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940630017759A), Jun 30, 1994: Maule M5210C, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Hard bounce on gravel strip. Went around. Second try unable to correct swerve. Hit ditch. Right tire had been cut.

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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