# NTSB ANC89LA149: Maule M-5-235C, N9114E, Fairbanks, AK, August 25, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1989, 21:25 local (Aug 25, 1989, 05:25 UTC)
- Place: Fairbanks, AK
- Coordinates: 64.809295, -147.720672 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.8093&lon=-147.7207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5246
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC89LA149
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5246/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC89LA149

## Probable cause

THE PILOT WAS TAXIING TOO FAST TO NEGOTIATE A BEND IN THE RIVER. TREES & THE RIVER BANK WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - to takeoff
  - taxispeed - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)
- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - to takeoff
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD HE WAS STEP TAXIING ON THE CHENA RIVER WHILE PROCEEDING TO A STRAIGHT AREA ON THE RIVER TO TAKE OFF. BEFORE REACHING THE STRAIGHT AREA, THERE WAS A RIGHT BEND IN THE RIVER. ABOUT HALFWAY THRU THE TURN, THE PLT REALIZED THAT EVEN WITH FULL RIGHT RUDDER, THE ACFT WOULD NOT TURN SHARP ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT SEPARATION FROM THE LEFT BANK WHICH HAD OVERHANGING TREES. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT STRUCK 'LAND AND TREES' ON THE LEFT SIDE & WAS DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9114E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9114E), registered now, S/N 7101C, built 1977 (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)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7101C
- Airframe hours: 1732
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J1 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Henry, Dale
- Registered owner: Dale, Henry
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 19, 1989, 68 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 320 total, 235 in this make and model, 243 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19890824031559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890824031559A), Aug 24, 1989: Maule M5235C, Fairbanks, AK, Substantial damage. Made too wide circle on river while step taxiing for takeoff ran into bank and trees on river edge.

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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