# NTSB ANC95LA139: Maule MA-4, N4741T, Port Alsworth, AK, August 15, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 1995, 19:00 local (Aug 15, 1995, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Port Alsworth, AK - Coordinates: 60.199382, -154.279907 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.1994&lon=-154.2799&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report March 6, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2717 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA139 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2717/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA139 ## Probable cause THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION AND FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO SUSTAIN A CLIMB BEFORE HITTING TREES. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - terrain condition - drop-off/descending embankment - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE DEPARTING A HUNTING LODGE AIRSTRIP, WHICH WAS LOCATED ON A KNOLL, ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN. THE AIRSTRIP WAS ABOUT 900 FEET LONG AND SLOPED DOWNHILL ABOUT 2 DEGREES. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE WIND WAS BLOWING GENERALLY FROM THE WEST ABOUT 12 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 15 KNOTS, BUT VARIED FROM THE NORTHWEST TO THE SOUTHEAST. THE AIRPLANE WAS 31 POUNDS BELOW ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. THE PILOT STARTED HIS TAKEOFF ROLL TO THE SOUTH. AT ABOUT 50 MPH OF AIRSPEED, HE ATTEMPTED TO 'ROTATE' THE AIRPLANE FOR TAKEOFF. HE SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ROTATE, BUT TOOK OFF AS IT CONTINUED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GAIN AIRSPEED BY LOWERING THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE AS IT DESCENDED TOWARD LOWER TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK SEVERAL TREES ABOUT 200 YARDS FROM THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED AN UNEXPECTED TAILWIND OR DOWNDRAFT. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 1995, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Maule MA-4, N4741T, crashed during takeoff from a remote area, about 52 miles northwest of Port Alsworth, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated airline transport pilot and the sole passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that he was departing a hunting lodge airstrip which is located on a knoll, about 300 feet above the surrounding terrain. The airstrip is about 900 feet long and slopes downhill about 2 degrees. He indicated that the wind was blowing generally from the west about 12 knots with gusts to 15 knots, but had varied from the northwest to the southeast. The airplane contained 2 caribou, 30 gallons of fuel, and the 2 occupants, and was 31 pounds below gross weight. The pilot added full power and started his takeoff roll on a 180 degree heading. About 50 MPH of airspeed, he applied back pressure to rotate the airplane for takeoff. The airplane did not rotate but became airborne as it continued off the departure end of the airstrip. The pilot attempted to gain airspeed by lowering the nose of the airplane as it descended toward lower terrain. The airplane struck several trees about 200 yards off the departure end of the airstrip. The pilot reported that he encountered an unexpected tail wind or downdraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4741T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4741T-1997-01-27), registration cancelled 1997-01-27, S/N 1005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE MA-4 - Registry model: [Maule M-4-210](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-210) (registry code 5460108) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1005 - Airframe hours: 1571 - Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360A 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerry C. Nunnally - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1995, 3 hours before - Destination: MRI, ANCHORAGE, AK - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: Hook Mountain Lodge ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 4,200 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 12 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19950814027169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950814027169A), Aug 14, 1995: Maule M4210, Port Alsworth, AK, Substantial damage. Failed to rotate on takeoff roll until end of short strip. Settled into trees. Factors windshift and gross weight. ## Other investigations on N4741T (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 ANC79DAG68](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC79DAG68), Jul 21, 1979: Maule M4-210 (N4741T), Anchorage, 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. --- 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.