N4564B

On September 6, 2003, about 1130 Alaska daylight time, a tundra tire-equipped Maule M-6-235 airplane, N4564B, sustained substantial damage during an in-flight collision with trees during an attempted go-around at a remote off airport site, about 38 miles west-northwest of Kenai, Alaska. The airplane was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local area personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private certificated pilot and the sole passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at the Kenai Municipal Airport at 1045, and no flight plan was filed.

During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge on September 9, the pilot stated that before landing at the 800 feet long by 60 feet wide site, he intended to inspect the surface of the site by flying low over the site, then performing a go-around, and landing if the site looked acceptable. He said that during the approach, as the airplane passed over the approach end of the site, he applied full engine power, and raised the nose in an attempt climb, but the airplane failed to clear the trees at the end of the site. The airplane sustained structural damage to the fuselage, wings, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane.