# NTSB GAA19CA305: Maule M4, N9833M, Fairbanks, AK, May 31, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 30, 2019, 19:00 local (May 31, 2019, 03:00 UTC) - Place: Fairbanks, AK - Coordinates: 64.36, -147.36 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.3600&lon=-147.3600&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA305 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99532/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99532 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA305 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the runway centerline during landing, which resulted in the airplane landing with the left wheel off the runway, an impact with trees, and a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on a gravel runway, he noticed that the airplane "floated slightly off of the center of the runway to the west." The airplane touched down with the left wheel off the runway in some vegetation, and the airplane nosed over. Postaccident examination revealed that there were alder branches wrapped around the left main landing gear and that the landing gear was locked up. The pilot said he removed the branches, and the landing gear moved "fine." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was from 090° and light and variable. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 33. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during landing on a gravel runway, he noticed that he "floated slightly off of the center of the runway to the west". He touched down with the left wheel off the runway in some vegetation, and the airplane nosed over. Postaccident examination revealed that there were alder branches wrapped around the left main landing gear and the landing gear locked up. The pilot removed the branches and the landing gear moved "fine." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing lift strut and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was from 090° and light and variable. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 33. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9833M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9833M-2023-02-04), registration cancelled 2023-02-04, S/N 1017C, built 1966 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M4 (210C) - Registry model: [Maule M-4-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-210c) (registry code 5460112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1017C - Year built: 1966 - Airframe hours: 1767 - Engines: Continental IO-360-A 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 2019 - Departed: 95Z, North Pole, AK - Destination: 2AK1, Fairbanks, AK - Airport: 2AK1, Blair Lake, runway 33, 1,530 × 50 ft, gravel - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: none; flight instructor, military, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 25, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 4,130 total, 10 in this make and model, 3,646 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 64 °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 20190530005429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190530005429A), May 30, 2019: Maule M-4-210C, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Airstrip 1500X50. Useable wheel area, 12 ft. wide, brush 2-3 ft high outside of wheel area. After circling airstrip 3 times for recon, pilot attempted landing… ## Other investigations on N9833M (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 ANC68A0003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC68A0003), Jul 27, 1967: Maule M-4 (N9833M), Whittier, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC67D0090](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC67D0090), Jan 12, 1967: Maule M-4 (N9833M), Seward, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99532. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473726&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 530 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473727&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF 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.