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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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NTSB Report

July 2, 1982 · Maule M-5 · N6172M

Fairbanks, AK

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 2, 1982
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Fairbanks, AK
Aircraft
Maule M-5
Tail Number
N6172M
Operator
Doug W Wrate
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ANC82FAA07

EARLIER IN THE DAY THE PLT RETURNED FROM A FLT AFTER EXPERIENCING A ROUGH RUNNING ENG & CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS. THE ACFT AGAIN DEPARTED THE CHENA MARINA ARPT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT LEVEL OFF APPROXIMATELY 300 TO 350 FT AGL. ONE WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT PITCHING UP & DOWN ERRACTICALLY AS IT LEVELED OFF. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A RIGHT BANK & WAS ROLLING OUT AFTER A 90 DEG HEADING CHANGE WHEN THE ENG SPUTTERED & QUIT. THE NOSE OF THE ACFT DROPPED & THE ACFT FELL IN A NEARLY VERTICAL ATTITUDE. ENG EXAMINATION REVEALED EVIDENCE OF WATER & RUST CONTAMINATION IN THE CARBURETOR & FUEL PUMP. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE ACFT WAS 379 POUNDS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT & THE AFT CG EXCEEDED BY 1.3 INCHES.

Full Narrative

EARLIER IN THE DAY THE PLT RETURNED FROM A FLT AFTER EXPERIENCING A ROUGH RUNNING ENG & CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS. THE ACFT AGAIN DEPARTED THE CHENA MARINA ARPT. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT LEVEL OFF APPROXIMATELY 300 TO 350 FT AGL. ONE WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT PITCHING UP & DOWN ERRACTICALLY AS IT LEVELED OFF. THE ACFT THEN ENTERED A RIGHT BANK & WAS ROLLING OUT AFTER A 90 DEG HEADING CHANGE WHEN THE ENG SPUTTERED & QUIT. THE NOSE OF THE ACFT DROPPED & THE ACFT FELL IN A NEARLY VERTICAL ATTITUDE. ENG EXAMINATION REVEALED EVIDENCE OF WATER & RUST CONTAMINATION IN THE CARBURETOR & FUEL PUMP. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THE ACFT WAS 379 POUNDS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT & THE AFT CG EXCEEDED BY 1.3 INCHES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:20 AHDT
Nearest AirportChena Marina (0nm N)
Runway19
Runway Length4700 ft
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd

Aircraft

AircraftMaule M-5
Tail NumberN6172M
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorDoug W Wrate
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 47 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 4 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point15 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg

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Appendix: Source Data