Probable cause
The pilot's selection of an unsuitably rough and snow-covered landing area.
NTSB analysis
The solo private pilot was landing a wheel-equipped airplane at an off-airport, snow-covered site. During the landing roll, the airplane bounced when it encountered a small snowdrift. The pilot said that he attempted to recover but the airplane drifted to the right and nosed over when it touched down in deep snow. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and wing lift struts. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted in his report to the NTSB that he should have selected a better area to land on.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC09CA029 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Apr 4, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Chickaloon, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Maule M-4-210C
- N-number
- N40684
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.