# NTSB ANC84LA172: Maule M-5-235C, N235LY, Big Lake, AK, September 11, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1984, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Lake, AK
- Location: 61.5450° N, 149.8180° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Big Lake, AK, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5450&lon=-149.8180&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 4368
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC84LA172
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/4368/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC84LA172

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water,glassy
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, HE WAS TAKING OFF FROM A LAKE WHEN HE DECIDED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT ROOM TO CLEAR TREES IN HIS FLT PATH. HE ABORTED THE TAKEOFF & THE ACFT SETTLED ONTO A GRAVEL BERM & SLID INTO TUNDRA. THE PLT BELIEVED THAT THE ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF HE HAD USED ALL OF THE LAKE FOR THE TAKEOFF OR HAD ABORTED SOONER. REPORTEDLY, THE LAKE HAD CALM/GLASSY WATER CONDITIONS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N235LY](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N235LY-1990-04-13), registration cancelled 1990-04-13, S/N 7189C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-235C
- Registry model: [Maule M-5-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (registry code 5460135) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7189C
- Airframe hours: 505
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William M. De Rushe'
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 8, 1983
- Departed: BROOKS RANGE, AK
- Destination: GRAYLING LAKE, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 522 total, 270 in this make and model, 450 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 39 °F

## 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 19840911070339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840911070339A), Sep 11, 1984: Maule M5235C, South Fork Lake, AK, Substantial damage. Takeoff run on glassy water. Aborted, poor acceleration, trees at FAR end. Hit gravel berm, slid into the tundra.

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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