# NTSB SEA86LA125: Maule M-6-235, N5644J, Fallon, NV, May 13, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1986, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Fallon, NV
- Coordinates: 39.500972, -118.290802 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5010&lon=-118.2908&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40406
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40406/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86LA125

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - aircraft handling - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ATTEMPTING A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A REMOTE RANCH STRIP AFTER ENCOUNTERING TURBULENCE AND HIGH WINDS ENROUTE. CONTROL WAS LOST ON SHORT FINAL WHEN THE ACFT WAS CAUGHT BY A GUST OF WIND. THE ACFT CONTACTED THE GROUND ON ONE WINGTIP AND CARTWHEELED. OFFICIALS WHO EVACUATED THE PLT FROM THE WRECKAGE STATED THE WINDS VARIED FROM CALM TO VERY STRONG IN THE AREA.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5644J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5644J), registered now, S/N 7356C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-6-235
- Registry model: [Maule M-6-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (registry code 5460160) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7356C
- Airframe hours: 399
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-W1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arlynn A. Cuthbertson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 22, 1985, 38 hours before
- Departed: BAM, BATTLE MOUNTAIN, NV
- Destination: VGT, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Airport: runway 4, 3,000 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 9,275 total, 128 in this make and model, 5 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NFL, 37 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 19860513016939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860513016939A), May 13, 1986: Maule M6235, Fallon, NV, Destroyed. Control lost on late final of precautionary landing. Lenticular clouds in area. Gust caused aircraft to cartwheel.

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.