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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 31, 1984 · Maule M-6 · N56490

Kiana, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 31, 1984
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Kiana, AK
Aircraft
Maule M-6
Tail Number
N56490
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC84LA150

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN THE KOBUK SAND DUNES AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT DURING CRUISE FLT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT, SPUTTERED ONCE, PICKED UP RPM AND THEN QUIT COMPLETELY. THE PROP WINDMILLED UNTIL GROUND CONTACT. IN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART, THE PLT SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO BOTH, TURNED THE BOOST PUMP ON AND PUSHED THE MIXTURE TOFULL RICH. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESTART. AFTER THE LANDING THE PLT HIRED A MECHANIC TO CHECK THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES. THE PLT THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE WATER IN THE FUEL. THE ACFT REPORTEDLY HAD 43 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD AT DEPARTURE.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT MADE A FORCED LANDING IN THE KOBUK SAND DUNES AFTER THE ENGINE QUIT DURING CRUISE FLT. THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE QUIT, SPUTTERED ONCE, PICKED UP RPM AND THEN QUIT COMPLETELY. THE PROP WINDMILLED UNTIL GROUND CONTACT. IN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART, THE PLT SWITCHED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO BOTH, TURNED THE BOOST PUMP ON AND PUSHED THE MIXTURE TOFULL RICH. THE ENGINE DID NOT RESTART. AFTER THE LANDING THE PLT HIRED A MECHANIC TO CHECK THE ENGINE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANY MECHANICAL DISCREPANCIES. THE PLT THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE WATER IN THE FUEL. THE ACFT REPORTEDLY HAD 43 GALLONS OF FUEL ON BOARD AT DEPARTURE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 AKDT
Nearest Airport25nm E
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMaule M-6
Tail NumberN56490
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility106 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point39 C / 19 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data