# NTSB WPR23LA285: Maule M-5-235C, N6201M, Eastsound, WA, July 27, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 26, 2023, 17:30 local (Jul 27, 2023, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Eastsound, WA - Coordinates: 48.65613, -122.93276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.6561&lon=-122.9328&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 192724 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA285 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192724/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192724 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA285 ## Probable cause The pilot’s improper in-flight fuel management, which led to fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid management; cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis On final approach, the engine sputtered, lost fuel pressure, then lost all power. With the total loss of power, the pilot initiated a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane struck a fence and subsequently nosed over. The pilot reported that there were about 15 gallons of fuel on board before he departed on the first of two sightseeing flights and that the left tank had substantially more fuel than the right tank. When the airplane wreckage was recovered, about 10 gallons of fuel reportedly were drained. According to the airplane manufacturer, about 3 gallons of this fuel would have been unusable, and it is likely one of the fuel tanks was nearly empty. However, the investigation was unable to determine the actual fuel quantity in the airplane’s tanks because the pilot recovered and moved the airplane wreckage without oversight by federal officials. The circumstances of the accident are consistent with the pilot likely not managing the fuel on board properly, resulting in fuel starvation and a total loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On July 26, 2023, about 1730 Pacific daylight time, a Maule M-5-235C, N6201M, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Eastsound, Washington. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he departed Columbia Gorge Regional/The Dalles Municipal Airport (DLS), The Dalles, Oregon, with 45 gallons of fuel on board and flew to Orcas Island Airport (ORS), Eastsound, Washington. While at ORS, he determined that there were about 15 gallons of fuel on board, and the left tank had “substantially” more fuel than the right tank. The pilot then took off on a 15-minute sightseeing flight around the island with two friends. He returned to ORS and conducted a second sightseeing flight with a third friend, flying the same flight profile on the second sightseeing flight that he had flown on the first sightseeing flight. The pilot said that he flew with the fuel selector in the Both position. At the conclusion of the second sightseeing flight, while on final approach to ORS, the engine sputtered, lost fuel pressure, and lost all power. The pilot engaged the electric boost pump but noted no change in fuel pressure. With the total loss of engine power, he thought that he could not make the runway and therefore initiated a forced landing to a field. During the landing, he maneuvered the airplane to avoid power lines, which resulted in the airplane striking a fence and subsequently nosing over and coming to rest inverted. Local law enforcement personnel noted that there was no fuel leaking at the accident site. The investigation was unable to determine the actual fuel quantity in the airplane’s fuel tanks at the time of the accident because the pilot recovered the airplane wreckage on Orcas Island and then moved it to a secure location on the mainland, without oversight by federal officials. The pilot reported that when the airplane wreckage was recovered, about 10 gallons of fuel were drained. According to the manufacturer, the airplane’s fuel system retains about 3 gallons of unusable fuel. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of preaccident failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. Fuel continuity was established from the main tanks to the carburetor. The engine-driven fuel pump was removed for examination and no anomalies were noted. When the engine-driven lever was activated, the pump diaphragm operated normally. Additionally, when the electric fuel boost pump was activated, it operated normally with no anomalies noted. The main and auxiliary fuel tanks were examined with a borescope and no anomalies were noted. Following the wreckage examination, the pilot communicated that he likely ran a fuel tank dry. He also communicated that air may have been introduced into the fuel lines while turning the airplane in maneuvering flight with a low fuel quantity in one of thetanks. When asked how this accident could have been prevented, the pilot said to top off both fuel tanks before departure. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6201M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6201M), registered now, S/N 7198C, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-235C - Registry model: [Maule M-5-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (registry code 5460135) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7198C - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 2625.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J2A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 2022 - Departed: Eastsound, WA - Airport: KORS, Orcas Island Airport - Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 23, 2023; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 153 total, 130 in this make and model, 100 as pilot in command, 153 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KORS, 3 nm away - METAR: KORS 270035Z AUTO 32005KT 10SM CLR 19/14 A3010 RMK AO2 ## 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 20230726015509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230726015509A), Jul 26, 2023: Maule M-5-235C, Orcas Island, WA, Substantial damage. On July 26, 2023 while sightseeing with (1) pax around Orcas Island, WA. PIC lost engine power about 3 miles out at an altitude of 900-1000 feet from Orcas… ## Other investigations on N6201M (1) 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 ANC81DAG43](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC81DAG43), Jun 13, 1981: Maule M-5 (N6201M), Zachery Bay, AK, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192724. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18973873&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1_WPR23LA285_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandums for record (item 2, PDF, 6 pages, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19044846&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20For%20Record%20Final%20One-Rel.pdf - Airframe and engine examination report (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18992793&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA285%20Airframe%20and%20Engine%20Examination%20%20Report%20Final-Rel.pdf - Airplane fuel quantity excerpt (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 20 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19044785&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Type%20Cetificate%20Data%20Sheet%20Fuel%20Quantity-Rel.pdf - Accident photos (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 536 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18997265&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA285%20Accident%20Photos%20Final-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18974042&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2024%20Retention-Release-of-Wreckage-Form%20FInal_Redacted-Rel.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.