# NTSB ANC97LA023: Maule M-5, N5654N, Chugiak, AK, January 18, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 18, 1997, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Chugiak, AK - Coordinates: 61.410778, -149.170074 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4108&lon=-149.1701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 4, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 2963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA023 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/2963/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA023 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point during landing. The snow-covered runway was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - snow covered (contributing factor) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot was returning the airplane to its base after a prepurchase flight test demonstration. The pilot, the potential buyer of the airplane, said he misjudged where the end of the snow covered runway was, and landed short. The airplane's main landing gear wheels sank into the snow, and the airplane nosed over. ## Factual narrative On January 18, 1997, about 1300 Alaska standard time, a wheel equipped Maule M-5 airplane, N5654N, sustained substantial damage while landing at the Birchwood Airport, Chugiak, Alaska. The private certificated pilot and two passengers aboard were not injured. The local, 14 CFR Part 91 flight operated in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. According to the Federal Aviation Administration inspector who interviewed the pilot and passengers, the accident airplane was on consignment for sale with one of the passengers, Mr. Lawrence Weiss. Mr. Weiss is the owner of Birchwood Aviation, and is also a private pilot. The pilot was a potential buyer of the airplane, and the purpose of the flight was for a prepurchase flight evaluation. The flight proceeded without incident until the landing attempt on runway 19. The airplane touched down short of the runway, rolled a short distance, and then nosed over. The NTSB investigator-in-charge spoke with the pilot-rated passenger, Mr. Weiss, on January 18. Mr. Weiss related essentially the same information as the FAA inspector. He stated he initially flew the airplane during the takeoff from Birchwood, and then relinquished control of the airplane to the first pilot. The first pilot returned to the Birchwood Airport for a landing on runway 19. Mr. Weiss related he was communicating on the radio, announcing their intention to land on runway 19 on the common traffic advisory frequency. He said the first pilot was flying the airplane. Mr. Weiss said the first pilot touched down just short of the landing threshold, the main landing gear wheels sank in the snow, and the airplane nosed over. A written statement submitted by the first pilot (attached), essentially reiterates information provided by the FAA inspector and the pilot-rated passenger. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5654N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5654N-2005-07-13), registration cancelled 2005-07-13, S/N 7465C, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-5 - Registry model: [Maule M-6-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (registry code 5460160) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7465C - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James C. Glascow - Registered owner: William E. Stevenson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BCV - Airport: BCV, Birchwood, runway 19, 4,100 × 48 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 360 total, 30 in this make and model, 360 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BCV ## 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 19970118000609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970118000609A), Jan 18, 1997: Maule M6235, Birchwood, AK, Substantial damage. Prepurchase evaluation. Landed short runway. Nosed over in deep snow. Pilot rated byer not at controls. 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.