Maule M-5-235C N6194M

Summary

On 15 August 2004 at about 21:23 local time, a Maule M-5-235C registered N6194M was involved in an accident near Seward, Alaska, United States. 3 people were on board and 2 died, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 August 2004 at 21:23

Classification

Accident

Location

Seward, Alaska, United States

Nearest airport

Seward (SWD)

Coordinates

57.9295, -152.4193

Aircraft

Maule M-5-235C

Registration

N6194M

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Chugiak → Seward

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ANC04FA092

2 people died.

The failure of an aviation mechanic/inspector to adequately inspect the pilot/owner's work during the engine overhaul, which resulted in a loss of engine oil and engine power during cruise flight, and a subsequent ditching. Factors associated with the accident were the inadequate installation of the idler gear shaft setscrew, and the lack of a safety wire on the three-quarter inch hex head (oil) plug in front of the idler gear shaft. Additional factors associated with the accident were the lack of suitable terrain for a forced landing, and ocean water.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The private pilot, with two passengers, was flying one of two wheel-equipped airplanes en route to a remote beach site. The route of flight was over ocean waters, flanked by steep vertical cliffs to the waters edge. After passing over the last suitable landing site, an airport about 12 miles north, the accident pilot reported to the pilot of the second airplane that he had a severe engine oil leak, and was retuning to the airport. The pilot reported that once the oil stopped leaking, about 3 miles from the airport, the engine began to vibrate so violently that he thought the engine was going to be torn from its mounts, and he shut the engine off. He said he turned the airplane in an attempt to glide to the nearest beach, but he was unable to reach the beach, and was forced to ditch the airplane about 300 yards from shore. When the airplane's main landing gear wheels touched the water, it nosed over abruptly, and the cabin rapidly filled with water. The pilot said he struggled to free himself and the passengers from their seat belts, while upside-down, and submerged in cold ocean water. Once he was free, he swam to the rear of the airplane, kicked out one of the aft windows, swam to the surface, and summoned help. Rescue personnel discovered the two passengers still restrained within their seats. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that a hex head plug at the front of the engine, in front of the propeller governor idler gear shaft, was missing, allowing engine oil under pressure to flow overboard. Additionally, the propeller governor idler gear shaft setscrew was loose, and the idler gear shaft was missing. There was no evidence that the hex head plug had been safety wired as required at the last engine overhaul, 299.6 service hours prior to the accident. According to the owner/pilot, he and a friend assembled the overhauled components of the accident engine in the pilot/owner's home-based shop. He said that that all work was accomplished in accordance with Textron Lycoming technical data. The pilot/owner did not possess an aviation mechanic's certificate. The pilot/owner reported that his friend, who owned and operated an aircraft maintenance facility, was supervising his work during the engine overhaul. A review of the engine logbooks revealed that the overhaul was certified by the pilot/owners friend, who also possessed inspector authority (IA).

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.