PORT ALSWORTH, AK, USA
N4741T
MAULE MA-4
THE PILOT AND A PASSENGER WERE DEPARTING A HUNTING LODGE AIRSTRIP, WHICH WAS LOCATED ON A KNOLL, ABOUT 300 FEET ABOVE THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN. THE AIRSTRIP WAS ABOUT 900 FEET LONG AND SLOPED DOWNHILL ABOUT 2 DEGREES. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THE WIND WAS BLOWING GENERALLY FROM THE WEST ABOUT 12 KNOTS WITH GUSTS TO 15 KNOTS, BUT VARIED FROM THE NORTHWEST TO THE SOUTHEAST. THE AIRPLANE WAS 31 POUNDS BELOW ITS MAXIMUM GROSS WEIGHT. THE PILOT STARTED HIS TAKEOFF ROLL TO THE SOUTH. AT ABOUT 50 MPH OF AIRSPEED, HE ATTEMPTED TO 'ROTATE' THE AIRPLANE FOR TAKEOFF. HE SAID THAT THE AIRPLANE DID NOT ROTATE, BUT TOOK OFF AS IT CONTINUED OFF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GAIN AIRSPEED BY LOWERING THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE AS IT DESCENDED TOWARD LOWER TERRAIN. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK SEVERAL TREES ABOUT 200 YARDS FROM THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE ENCOUNTERED AN UNEXPECTED TAILWIND OR DOWNDRAFT.
On August 14, 1995, about 1900 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire equipped Maule MA-4, N4741T, crashed during takeoff from a remote area, about 52 miles northwest of Port Alsworth, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) cross-country personal flight to Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, when the accident occurred. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The certificated airline transport pilot and the sole passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported that he was departing a hunting lodge airstrip which is located on a knoll, about 300 feet above the surrounding terrain. The airstrip is about 900 feet long and slopes downhill about 2 degrees. He indicated that the wind was blowing generally from the west about 12 knots with gusts to 15 knots, but had varied from the northwest to the southeast. The airplane contained 2 caribou, 30 gallons of fuel, and the 2 occupants, and was 31 pounds below gross weight. The pilot added full power and started his takeoff roll on a 180 degree heading. About 50 MPH of airspeed, he applied back pressure to rotate the airplane for takeoff. The airplane did not rotate but became airborne as it continued off the departure end of the airstrip. The pilot attempted to gain airspeed by lowering the nose of the airplane as it descended toward lower terrain. The airplane struck several trees about 200 yards off the departure end of the airstrip. The pilot reported that he encountered an unexpected tail wind or downdraft.
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING/DECISION AND FAILURE TO ATTAIN SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED TO SUSTAIN A CLIMB BEFORE HITTING TREES. THE UNFAVORABLE WIND CONDITION WAS A RELATED FACTOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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