# NTSB ANC95LA055: Maule M-5-235-C, N6248M, Anchorage, AK, May 18, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 17, 1995, 17:49 local (May 18, 1995, 01:49 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.160964, -149.989776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1610&lon=-149.9898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2649 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA055 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2649/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA055 ## Probable cause A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE TERRAIN. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) ## Analysis THIS WAS THE FIRST FLIGHT OF THE SEASON FOR THE PILOT AND THE AIRPLANE'S FIRST FLIGHT AFTER AN ANNUAL INSPECTION. JUST AFTER TAKEOFF THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE LOST POWER AND THE PILOT WAS FORCED TO LAND ON THE MUSKEG. EXAMINATION AND TEST RUN OF THE ENGINE SHOWED NO IDENTIFIABLE MALFUNCTION. THE VENTED FUEL CAPS WERE TESTED AND FOUND TO VENT PROPERLY. ## Factual narrative On May 17, 1995, at 1749 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Maule, M-5-235-C airplane, N6248M, registered to and operated by the pilot, experienced an engine power loss after takeoff and was forced to land on the muskeg near Anchorage International Airport, Anchorage, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91, was departing Lake Hood Seaplane Base, Anchorage, for a local flight. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The private certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. According to the pilot, he drained the fuel sumps and gascolator and found no water or contaminants. He had 20 gallons of fuel in each wing tank. The engine run up was normal and the fuel selector valve was set on the left tank. The engine operated normally until the airplane reached an altitude of 100 feet above the ground. The engine then lost "substantial" power, surged to full power, and then lost power again. He stated he did not try to keep the engine running because of his proximity to the ground. He landed the airplane on the muskeg approximately 1/2 mile from Lake Hood. The pilot stated this was his first flight of the year, and the airplane's first flight since its annual inspection. Examination of the airplane and engine showed no external damage to the engine, accessories or fuel system. The engine was started, warmed up, and accelerated to 1800 RPM. The engine ran smoothly and continued to operate from both the left and the right fuel tanks. The engine could not be accelerated to full RPM due to the damage on the airplane. The fuel caps were removed from the left and right fuel tanks and they were vent checked. Both caps were labeled as vented caps and found to vent properly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6248M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6248M), registered now, S/N 7201C, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-235-C - Registry model: [Maule M-5-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (registry code 5460135) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7201C - Airframe hours: 804 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wilson, Alan P. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 10, 1995, 0 hours before - Departed: LHD - Airport: LHD, Lake Hood Sea Plane Base, runway 36, water ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 550 total, 16 in this make and model, 486 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 14 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 90 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ANC, 2 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 19950517012819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950517012819A), May 17, 1995: Maule M5235C, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. Power loss on climbout. Landed floatplane on tundra. First flight off season. Just out of annual. No defects found. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.