Maule M-6-235 accident near Kotzebue, AK
On August 13, 2001, a Maule M-6-235 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Kotzebue, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 13, 2001
- Place
- Kotzebue, AK
- Aircraft
- Maule M-6-235 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 66.833°N, 162.550°W
- NTSB ID
- 20010824X01775
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 13, 2001, about 1049 Alaska daylight time, a Maule M-6-235 airplane, N56467, collided with a 335 feet high commercial radio antenna tower, located about 4.3 nautical miles south of the Kotzebue Airport, Kotzebue, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The airplane was owned by Arctic Camps and Equipment, Inc., Anchorage, Alaska. The certificated private pilot received fatal injuries, and the sole passenger sustained serious injuries. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The flight originated about 1047 at the Ralph Wien Memorial Airport, Kotzebue, and was en route to Deering, Alaska. About 1036, the accident pilot contacted the Kotzebue Flight Service Station (FSS) to request an airport advisory, and to file a VFR flight plan. The Kotzebue FSS specialist on duty advised the pilot that the weather at the Kotzebue Airport was below VFR minimums, and that VFR flight was not recommended. The Kotzebue FSS specialist then requested what the pilot's intentions were. The pilot responded by requesting a special visual flight rules (SVFR) clearance out of the Class E surface area to the south. About 1047, the pilot was issued a SVFR clearance to the south, advised to maintain VFR conditions, and was requested to report clear of the active Class E airspace. About 1048, the accident airplane departed on runway 17, and proceeded southbound. About 1049, the accident pilot contacted the Kotzebue FSS specialist on d
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from an obstruction (antenna tower), and his continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions. Factors associated with the accident were low ceilings, and low visibility.
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Browse: Alaska · Maule aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
