# NTSB ANC99LA127: Maule M-7, N770AS, Kotzebue, AK, August 28, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 28, 1999, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Kotzebue, AK
- Coordinates: 67.239173, -161.189178 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2392&lon=-161.1892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47324
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC99LA127
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47324/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC99LA127

## Probable cause

An in-flight collision with a bird.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, cruise
  - object - bird(s) (cause)
  - flight control,aileron - bent

## Analysis

The airline transport certificated pilot was completing a cross-country positioning flight, and decided to fly about 200 feet agl above a small lake.  A large brown bird collided with the left wing tip of the airplane.  After landing, the pilot discovered the wing tip faring was missing.  The outboard end of the wing and the left aileron were damaged during the impact.

## Factual narrative

On August 28, 1999, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Maule M-7 airplane, N770AS, sustained substantial damage after an in-flight collision with a bird, about 8 miles east of Kotzebue, Alaska, about latitude 66 degrees, 52 minutes north, and longitude 162 degrees, 13 minutes west.  The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country positioning flight under Title 14 CFR Part 91 when the accident occurred.  The airplane was operated by Arctic Air Guides Flying Service, Kotzebue.  The airline transport certificated pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.  A VFR flight plan was filed.  The flight originated from a remote area along the Selawik River, about 1412.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on August 30, 1999, the pilot reported he was returning to Kotzebue, and decided to fly about 200 feet agl above a small lake.  A large brown bird collided with the left wing tip of the airplane.  After landing, he discovered the wing tip faring was missing.  The outboard end of the wing and the left aileron were damaged during the impact.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N770AS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N770AS), registered now, S/N 4017C, built 1984 (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: 4017C
- Airframe hours: 1495
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5D 230 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Positioning, Part 91
- Operator: Arctic Air Guide Flying Svc.
- Registered owner: Lawrence C. Maxson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 20, 1999, 25 hours before
- Departed: SELAWIK RIVER, AK
- Destination: PAOT
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 18,400 total, 795 in this make and model, 18,272 as pilot in command, 203 in the last 90 days, 39 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 325° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19990828026099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990828026099A), Aug 28, 1999: Maule M7235, Kotzebue, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 28, 1999, about 1530 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Maule M-7 airplane, N770AS, sustained substantial damage after an in-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.

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