# Accident 20090612047239A: Maule M-5-235C, Wasilla, AK, June 12, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 12, 2009, 11:30 local time
- Place: Wasilla, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Climb Out
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 61.6039° N, 149.2733° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.6039&lon=-149.2733&mi=10
- Aircraft: N407X, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N407X) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Maule M-5-235C (registry code 5460135, https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-235C
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 10,000 total, 500 in this make and model, 90 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC09CA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA056) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090612047239A

## Narrative

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

THE PILOT STATED THAT ON 06/12/2009, AT 1130 ADT, HE DEPARTED FINGER LAKE (99Z) FOR A FLIGHT TO THE SEWARD, AK AREA. HE STATED HE DEPARTED THE LAKE IN A SW DIRECTION WITH GUSTY WIND CONDITIONS. AFTER A NORMAL TAKE OFF, AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FT. HE SAID THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN SINKING. HE BELIEVED HE COULD NOT CLEAR TREES AT THE END OF THE LAKE, TURNED LEFT UP A FINGER OF THE LAKE, WAS ABLE TO LEVEL THE AIRCRAFT BEFORE IMPACTING THE WATER. THE IMPACT SHEARED THE FLOAT STRUTS. DAMAGE WAS CONFINED TO THE FLOATS, FLOAT STRUTS, PROP, COWL, AND WING STRUTS. THE PILOT STATED THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES.

## 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 ANC09CA056](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA056), Jun 12, 2009: Maule M-5-235C (N407X), Wasilla, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area with an unfavorable wind.

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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