GENERAL INFORMATION FOR NTSB REPORT: ANC00LA084
Data Source NTSB AVIATION ACCIDENT/INCIDENT DATABASE
NTSB Report Nbr ANC00LA084
Event Id 20001212X21352
Local Date 07/08/2000
Local Time 1615
State AK
Event Type ACCIDENT
Injury Severity NONE
Record Status FINAL
Mid Air Collision NO
Event Location OFF AIRPORT/AIRSTRIP

WEATHER INFORMATION
Weather Briefing Complete NOT PERTINENT
Basic Weather Conditions VISUAL METEOROLOGICAL COND
Light Condition DAY
Cloud Condition UNKNOWN
Cloud Height above Ground Level (ft) 0
Ceiling Height above Ground Level (ft) 6000
Cloud Type OVERCAST
Visibility RVR (ft) 0
Visibility RVV (sm) 0
Visibility (sm) 10
Wind Direction (deg) 0
Wind Condition Flag U
Wind Speed (knots) 0
Wind Condition Indicated Unknown

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION
Aircraft 1
Type of Operation PART 91: GENERAL AVIATION
Registration Number N9855M
Aircraft Make MAULE
Aircraft Model M4
Aircraft Series 210C
Aircraft Damage SUBSTANTIAL
Aircraft Fire NONE
Aircraft Explosion NONE
Aircraft Type AIRPLANE
Aircraft Homebuilt UNKNOWN
Phase of Flight CRUISE
Aircraft Use PERSONAL
Flight Plan Filed VFR
Operator Name
Operator Doing Business As
Owner Name DONALD E. HALSTED
Number of Seats 4
Number of Engines 1
ELT Installed YES
ELT Operated YES
Departure Airport Id TKJ
Departure City TOK
Departure State ALASKA
Last Departure Point NO
Destination Airport Id PAQ
Destination City PALMER
Destination State ALASKA
Runway Id 0
Air Carrier Operating Certificates NO
Air Carrier Other Operating Certificates UNKNOWN
Rotocraft/Agriculture Operating Certificate UNKNOWN
Cert Max Gross Wgt 2300

ENGINE INFORMATION

Aircraft 1 - Engine : #1
Engine Manufactuer Continental
Engine Model IO-360-A
Engine Horsepower 210
Engine Thrust HP
Carb/Injection FUEL INJECTED

INJURY INFORMATION
Injury Summary for Aircraft 1
Fatal Serious Minor None
Crew 0 0 0 0
Pass 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 1
Sequence of Events for Aircraft 1
Occurrence #1
LOSS OF ENGINE POWER (TOTAL) - NON-MECHANICAL
Phase of Operation: CRUISE

Events Sequence for Occurrence #1 of Aircraft 1
Event Seq # Event Group Code Subject Modifier Personnel Cause/Factor
1 1 FLUID, FUEL EXHAUSTION CAUSE
2 2 REFUELING NOT PERFORMED PILOT IN COMMAND CAUSE

Occurrence #2
FORCED LANDING
Phase of Operation: EMERGENCY DESCENT/LANDING

Events Sequence for Occurrence #2 of Aircraft 1
Event Seq # Event Group Code Subject Modifier Personnel Cause/Factor

Occurrence #3
ON GROUND/WATER ENCOUNTER WITH TERRAIN/WATER
Phase of Operation: LANDING - ROLL

Events Sequence for Occurrence #3 of Aircraft 1
Event Seq # Event Group Code Subject Modifier Personnel Cause/Factor
3 1 TERRAIN CONDITION ROUGH/UNEVEN FACTOR




AIRCRAFT 1 PRELIMINARY REPORT


On July 8, 2000, about 1615 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Maule M-4-210C airplane, N9855M, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at an off airport site, about 11 miles east of Palmer, Alaska, at 61 degrees, 07 minutes north latitude, 148 degrees, 43 minutes west longitude. The solo certificated private pilot was not injured. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1415, from the Tok Airport, Tok, Alaska. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on July 9, the pilot reported that while in cruise flight, just after switching the fuel selector valve from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank, all engine power was lost. He said that emergency engine procedures did not restore engine power, and he selected a sand bar as a forced landing area. During the landing roll the left main wheel struck a rut, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, and left wing lift strut. The pilot submitted a written report to the NTSB dated August 23. In a cover letter that accompanied the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot wrote: "It was a matter of running out of fuel without realizing what was going on and setting down in the most inviting spot."

AIRCRAFT 1 FINAL REPORT


The certificated private pilot reported that while in cruise flight, just after switching the fuel selector valve from the right fuel tank to the left fuel tank, all engine power was lost. He said that emergency engine procedures did not restore engine power, and he selected a sand bar as a forced landing area. During the landing roll the left main wheel struck a rut, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing, and left wing lift strut. The pilot submitted a written report to the NTSB dated August 23. In a cover letter that accompanied the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot wrote: 'It was a matter of running out of fuel without realizing what was going on and setting down in the most inviting spot.'

AIRCRAFT 1 CAUSE REPORT


The pilot's failure to refuel the airplane prior to fuel exhaustion. A factor associated with the accident was rough/uneven terrain.


END REPORT