ANC95LA161

NTSB accident investigation · Maule M-7 · Aniak, AK · September 9, 1995

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
September 8, 1995, 16:00 local (Sep 9, 1995, 00:00 UTC)
Place
Aniak, AK
Injuries
3 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Takeoff
Aircraft
N61043Maule M-7
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report April 18, 1996
Report
Approved by Office Director
NTSB office
Alaska Regional Office
FAA report
19950908028069A
Case key
2734

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Probable cause

The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

In flight collision with objectTakeoff
Object - tree(s)
Unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selectedPilot in commandCause

Analysis

The certificated commercial pilot and 2 passengers, who were hunting clients, departed a remote 650 foot long gravel area. The pilot began his takeoff roll in a southeast direction into a 10 knot wind. He indicated that the airplane became momentarily airborne in ground effect. At the end of the takeoff area, the ground sloped downhill, and the airplane began to descend. The pilot also indicated that the wind decreased to zero during the takeoff. The aircraft collided with trees beyond the takeoff area and then nosed over.

Factual narrative

On September 8, 1995, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Maule M-7, N61043, collided with trees during takeoff from a remote area, about 32 miles southeast of Aniak, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country, on-demand passenger flight under Title 14 CFR Part 135 when the accident occurred. The airplane, operated by Aniak Air Guides, sustained substantial damage. The certificated commercial pilot, and 2 passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. Company flight following procedures were in effect.

The pilot reported that he was departing a 650 foot long gravel area with hunting clients. The pilot began his takeoff roll in a southeast direction into a 10 knot wind. The pilot indicated that the airplane became momentarily airborne in ground effect. At the end of the takeoff area, the ground sloped downhill and the airplane began to descend. The pilot also indicated that the wind decreased to zero during the takeoff. The aircraft collided with trees beyond the takeoff area and then nosed over.

Aircraft

Registration
N61043
Reported as
Maule M-7
Category
Airplane
Serial number
4044C
Airframe hours
398
Engine
Lycoming IO-540-W1ASO, 235 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Part 135
Registered owner
Richard Townsend
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · May 6, 1995 · 55 hours before
Flight plan
Company VFR

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
34
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine sea, Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Seat
Left
Flight hours
2,301 total · 2,025 in this make and model · 2,230 as pilot in command · 141 in the last 90 days · 52 in the last 30 days · 5 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
125° at 10 knots
Visibility
90 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
5,000 ft overcast
Temperature
55 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N61043 · 2

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.