On June 1, 1990, a Maule M4 (registration N4623T) operated by Burts, Douglas A was involved in an aviation accident near L. Susitna Riv, AK. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot attempting a round trip from Anchorage to McGrath without refueling experienced engine failure about 10 miles from Anchorage, leading to a forced landing in tundra. The pilot attributed the failure to fuel exhaustion.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported an engine failure and subsequent forced landing while returning from McGrath to Anchorage. The pilot had intended to complete the round trip without refueling. Before departing from Anchorage, the fuel tanks were topped off. During a stop in McGrath, the pilot visually inspected the fuel tanks but did not use a stick gauge to measure the fuel level; he estimated the tanks were slightly more than half full.
Sequence of Events
Approximately 10 miles from Anchorage, the engine began to sputter and eventually stopped. The pilot executed a forced landing in the tundra. After the incident, the pilot stated that it is most likely the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion.