Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that he was landing on a ridge and the landing area was rougher than he expected. Upon landing the main gear collapsed and the wheels bent the wing struts.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 2, 1994, at 1900 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Maule M5, airplane, N51637, registered to and operated by the pilot, collapsed its main gear during landing at a field site located 30 miles northwest of Port Alsworth, Alaska. The personal flight, operating under 14 CFR Part 91 for the purposes of hunting, departed Merrill Field, Anchorage, Alaska, and the destination was the accident site. A VFR flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The airplane received substantial damage and the pilot and the two passengers were not injured. According to the pilot, he landed on a ridge and the surface was rougher than he expected. The main gear collapsed and bent the wing struts during the landing roll. -