N5644N

On December 16, 2000, about 1710 Alaska standard time, a tundra tire-equipped Maule M-5 airplane, N5644N, sustained substantial damage during a forced landing at the King Salmon Airport, King Salmon, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR), local area personal flight, when the accident occurred. The airplane was operated by the pilot. The private certificated pilot, and the sole passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), on December 17, 2000, the pilot said he was planning to land on runway 11 at King Salmon. When he reduced engine power during the landing approach, the engine sputtered. The pilot said he turned the engine boost pump on, and verified that the fuel selector was on the "BOTH" position. He then increased the throttle control, and the engine quit. The airplane descended and collided with three runway approach lighting system assemblies, short of the runway threshold. The pilot said the airplane was equipped with a carburetor temperature gauge. Throughout the flight, and during the descent for landing, the pilot said he adjusted the carburetor heat control to keep the carburetor temperature out of the caution range. The airplane received damage to the landing gear, the left wingtip, and the leading edge of the right wing.

At 1652, an Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) from the King Salmon airport was reporting, in part: Wind, 100 degrees (true) at 7 knots; visibility, 10 statute miles; clouds and sky condition, few at 4,500 feet, 15,000 feet scattered; temperature, 30 degrees F; dew point, 27 degrees F; altimeter, 29.27 inHg.

On December 20, 2000, the pilot reported the airplane was examined by a mechanic in King Salmon. The mechanic found 1 1/2 to 2 inches of water in the carburetor.