# NTSB SEA87FA135: Maule M-4-210C, N9812M, Sitka, AK, July 12, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 12, 1987, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Sitka, AK
- Coordinates: 56.729312, -135.000396 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.7293&lon=-135.0004&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40525
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA87FA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40525/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA87FA135

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

PLT WAS ON LOCAL VFR FLIGHT PLAN. WITNESSES OBSERVED ACFT FLYING AT LOW LEVEL ALONG BEACHES. LATER, WITNESS SAW SMOKE RISING FROM WOODED TERRAIN ABOUT TWO MILES INLAND FROM NEAREST BEACH. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF INFLIGHT FAILURE OF MALFUNCTION OF ACFT POWERPLANT, STRUCTURE OR SYSTEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9812M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9812M-2014-12-01), registration cancelled 2014-12-01, S/N 1043, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-4-210C
- Registry model: [Maule M-4-210](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-210) (registry code 5460108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1043
- Airframe hours: 1362
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-A 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George H. Rossow
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 20, 1987, 50 hours before
- Departed: SIT, SITKA, AK
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 10 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SIT, 15 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 19870712034139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870712034139A), Jul 12, 1987: Maule M4210, Sitka, AK, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Local VFR flight. No communications. Collided with trees and terrain and burned. Prop indicates no power at impact.

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.