# NTSB ANC84LA151: Maule M-6-235, N5651D, Bettles, AK, August 31, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1984, 11:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Bettles, AK
- Coordinates: 67.239395, -152.269149 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=67.2394&lon=-152.2691&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4350/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA151

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - poor, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH AN OVERHANGING TREE BRANCH DURING A RIVER TAKEOFF. THE PLT WAS TRYING TO NEGOTIATE A BEND IN THE RIVER WHILE ON THE 'STEP' FOR TAKEOFF. THE PLT SAID HE HAD VERY LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN THE MODEL ACFT AND IT GOT LIGHT ON THE FLOATS AND SKIPPED IN THE TURN QUICKER THAN HE WAS 'USED TO' IN OTHER ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5651D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5651D), registered now, S/N 7438C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-6-235
- Registry model: [Maule M-6-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (registry code 5460160) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 747C
- Airframe hours: 247
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sourdouhg Outfitters
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1984, 247 hours before
- Departed: BTT, BETTLES, AK
- Destination: WALKER LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 228 total, 3 in this make and model, 190 as pilot in command, 67 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19840831045529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840831045529A), Aug 31, 1984: Maule M6235, Bettles, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted takeoff in bend of river, left wing struck overhanging tree limb causing loss of control.

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.

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