Maule M-4 accident near Cordova, Alaska, September 18, 1988
On September 18, 1988 at about 8:07 pm local time, a Maule M-4, registered N2044U, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cordova, Alaska (Cordova airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 18, 1988 · about 8:07 pm local time
- Place
- Cordova, Alaska · Cordova · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-4 · all M-4s on the register
- Registration
- N2044U · no longer on the register · serial 2038C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE ON BASE LEG TO THE AIRPORT, THE ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER FORCING THE PILOT TO LAND THE AIRPLANE ON THE TUNDRA SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. UPON LANDING THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE SHOWED WATER IN THE CARBURETOR. THE WATER WAS DRAINED AND THE ENGINE STARTED AND OPERATED NORMALLY. THE PIC STATED THAT HE LAST REFUELED HIS ACFT 1 WEEK EARLIER FROM HIS OWN FUEL TANK THAT WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AQUACON GO-NO-GO FILTER.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot, private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 7,000 hours in all; 350 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,976 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 25, 1988; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin 6A-350-C1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Bering River AK at 4:45 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 1,900 ft by 30 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.