# Accident 19991115046729A: Maule M7235, Palmer, AK, November 15, 1999

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 15, 1999, 12:10 local time
- Place: Palmer, AK
- Damage: No damage
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.6206° N, 148.9791° W: From the FAA, an estimate near the named town, within about 3 miles
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6206&lon=-148.9791&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5657A, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5657A) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Maule M-7-235 (registry code 5470208, https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540 series (registry code 41530, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M7235
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC00LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA013) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991115046729A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) ON NOVEMBER 15, 1999 AT APPROXIMATELY 1210 ALASKA DAYLIGHT TIME, A MAULE M-7 AIRPLANE, N5657A, SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE WHEN IT IMPACTED WITH TREES DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT FROM FOUR CORNERS AIRSTRIP. THE AIRMAN STATED THAT AFTER WARMING UP THE AIRCRAFT HE WAITED FOR A LULL IN THE WINDS WHICH HE ESTIMATED AT 12 KNOTS GUSTING TO 25 KNOTS VARIABLE IN DIRECTION FROM 10 TO 90 DEGREES. HE BEGAN A TAKEOFF TO THE NORTH WITH THE INTENTION OF BECOMING AIRBORNE IN 600 TO 700 FEET HOWEVER THE AIRCRAFT CAME OFF THE GROUND IN ABOUT 300 FEET, MUCH EARLIER THAN THE AIRMAN EXPECTED. AT APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET IN THE AIR THE WIND SHIFTED TO A 90 DEGREE CROSSWIND AND INCREASED TO AN ESTIMATED 25 KNOTS. ATTEMPTING TO OUT CLIMB THE TREES AHEAD, THE AIRCRAFT'S AIRSPEED DETERIORATED AND WAS CLOSE TO A STALL AND THE AIRMAN ELECTED TO CRASH LAND IN THE TREES AHEAD.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC00LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA013), Nov 15, 1999: Maule M7-235C (N5657A), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's intentional takeoff into known adverse weather. Factors associated with this accident are crosswinds, gusts, and downdrafts.

## Other reports on N5657A (4)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Accident 20030918027689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030918027689A), Sep 18, 2003: Maule M7235 (N5657A), Mcgrath, AK, Substantial damage. (-23) During departure from a remote airstrip, the aircraft engine lost power. The pilot stated that the loss of power was due to fuel starvation. While…
- [Accident 19910824039829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910824039829A), Aug 24, 1991: Maule M7235 (N5657A), Mystic Pass, AK, Substantial damage. Drifted off runway on liftoff tail dragged in bushes. Stalled and hit ground. Blames a wind shift to a tailwind.
- [Incident 19910425036509I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910425036509I), Apr 25, 1991: Maule M7235 (N5657A), Hinchinbrook Is, AK, Minor damage. Aircraft hit a small ditch in beach sand on takeoff roll. Broke left gear. Came to rest on right main.
- [Incident 19860717085099I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860717085099I), Jul 17, 1986: Maule M7235 (N5657A), Kenai, AK, Minor damage. Float plane nosed over while turning in strong wind and large waves.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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