# NTSB GAA19CA552: Maule M 6-235, N88DK, Palmer, AK, September 17, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 17, 2019, 10:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Palmer, AK - Coordinates: 61.355278, -148.409439 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.3553&lon=-148.4094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100279 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA552 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100279/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100279 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA552 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing and his failure to maintain directional control during the landing, which resulted in the airplane hitting a rut, bouncing, and then nosing over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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-6-235, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 253 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing on an off-airport gravel bar in a river, the airplane veered right, hit a rut, and then bounced. The pilot applied the brakes, and the airplane subsequently nosed over and then came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift struts and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, while landing off-airport on a gravel river bar, the airplane veered right, hit a rut and bounced. The pilot applied the brakes and the airplane subsequently nosed over coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift struts and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88DK](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88DK), registered now, S/N 7088C, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M 6-235 (235C) - Registry model: [Maule M-6-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (registry code 5460160) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-A1C5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-a1c5) (registry code 42322, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7088C - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 1953.9 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-A1C5 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 13, 2019 - Departed: BCV, Birchwood, AK - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 9, 2018; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,050 in this make and model, 300 in the last 90 days, 175 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Observed at: PAAQ, 24 nm away ## 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 20190917017109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190917017109A), Sep 17, 2019: Maule M-6-235, Palmer, AK, Substantial damage. The pilot landed short on a rough gravel bar, lost control while braking and maneuvering on touchdown to avoid rocks and the aircraft nosed over. Negligible… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 5, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100279. 811 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 388 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481026&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481027&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 363 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481028&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.