Accident Maule M-5-235C N6176M, Friday 18 January 1985

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Date:	Friday 18 January 1985
Time:	18:00 LT
Type:	Maule M-5-235C
Owner/operator:	James A Fors
Registration:	N6176M
MSN:	7113C
Year of manufacture:	1977
Total airframe hrs:	805 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming IO-540
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Wenatchee, WA - United States of America
Phase:	Landing
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:	Thompson Falls, WA
Destination airport:	Issaquah, WA (3WA1)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ONTO A SNOW COVERED GRAIN FIELD. HE STATED HIS ARTIFICAL HORIZON WAS INOPERATIVE & DARKNESS WAS APPROACHING. ALSO, HE SAID HE SAW A NEEDLE FLICKER & HE WAS NOT SURE IF IT WAS A FUEL GAGE OR HIS OIL PRESSURE GAGE. DURING THE LANDING, THE ACFT NOSED OVER IN 10 INCHES OF SNOW.

Probable Cause:

Accident investigation: