# Accident 20021017030589A: Maule M7235, Wrangell, AK, October 17, 2002

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: October 17, 2002, 10:10 local time
- Place: Wrangell, AK
- Airport: Wrangell
- Damage: Destroyed
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 56.1681° N, 132.1850° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=56.1681&lon=-132.1850&mi=10
- Aircraft: N5662S, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5662S-2003-09-19) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Maule M-7-235 (registry code 5470208, https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: NONE (registry code 00000, https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M7235
- Fatal injuries: 0
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC03LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA003) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021017030589A

## Narrative

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

(-23) BASED ON STATEMENTS MADE BY MR. BATEHAM THE DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HE TOOK OFF BOUND FOR WRANGELL, AK AND ENCOUNTERED A FOG BANK SOON AFTER TAKE-OFF. WHILE IN A TURN TO THE LEFT THE AIRCRAFT HIT THE WATER AND CRASHED. MR. BATEHAM'S FOOT WAS CAUGHT UNDER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AFTER THE ACCIDENT, BUT HE WAS ABLE TO FREE HIMSELF AS THE AIRCRAFT WAS SINKING AND SWIM TO THE SURFACE. HE WAS PICKED UP BY A PASSING BOAT. A VOLUNTEER SEARCH AND RESCUE BOAT DISPATCHED FROM WRANGELL PICKED UP BATEHAM AND TRANSPORTED HIM TO THE HOSPITAL. SOME FLOATING DEBRIS WAS RECOVERED CONSISTING OF A FUEL TANK, INSULATION MATERIAL, AND A BRIEFCASE. (-23 AMENDMENT) THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN APPROXIMATELY 300 FEET OF WATER AND NO ATTEMPT TO RECOVER THE WRECKAGE IS PLANNED.

## 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 ANC03LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA003), Oct 17, 2002: Maule M-7-235 (N5662S), Wrangell, AK, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, his continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from terrain/water, which…

## Other reports on N5662S (1)

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

- [Accident 19970914026589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970914026589A), Sep 14, 1997: Maule M7235 (N5662S), Louisville, MS, Substantial damage. Veered off runway as tail came up. Over controlled became airborne into trees and ditch. Trim t handle improper set (-23) during take off from lms, as the tail…

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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