# NTSB ANC95LA161: Maule M-7, N61043, Aniak, AK, September 9, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 8, 1995, 16:00 local (Sep 9, 1995, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Aniak, AK - Coordinates: 61.19905, -158.599563 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.1990&lon=-158.5996&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2734 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC95LA161 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2734/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC95LA161 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for takeoff. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, takeoff - object - tree(s) - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N61043-2018-01-05), registration cancelled 2018-01-05, S/N 4044C, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-7 - Registry model: [Maule M-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235) (registry code 5470208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4044C - Airframe hours: 398 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19950908028069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950908028069A), Sep 8, 1995: Maule M7235, Aniak, AK, Substantial damage. Settled after departing short remote strip. Struck trees and nosed over. ## Other investigations on N61043 (2) 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 SEA93LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA203), Sep 20, 1993: Maule M-7-235 (N61043), Recluse, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE BRAKE SYSTEM LOCKED FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS. - [NTSB SEA92LA078](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA92LA078), Apr 14, 1992: Maule M-7 (N61043), Aravada, WY, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A VISUAL LOOKOUT, AND HIS DIVERTED ATTENTION. FACTORS INCLUDE A LOW PASS, AND A TRANSMISSION WIRE IN THE PATH OF FLIGHT. 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.