# NTSB ANC91FA128: Maule M-5, N9026E, Ruby, AK, August 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1991, 20:00 local (Aug 17, 1991, 04:00 UTC)
- Place: Ruby, AK
- Coordinates: 65.030868, -154.910476 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=65.0309&lon=-154.9105&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 3 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 23, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5488
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91FA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5488/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91FA128

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL INFLIGHT DUE TO IMPROPER AIRCRAFT HANDLING AND ALCOHOL IMPAIRMENT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - impairment(alcohol), pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A WITNESS STATED HE SAW THE AIRPLANE APPROACH THEIR LOCATION WHEN IT SUDDENLY BANKED LEFT AND CRASHED INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE YUKON RIVER.  FAA RECORDS SHOW THAT THE PERSON SEATED IN THE PILOT'S SEAT HAD HIS COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE REVOKED ON JULY 10, 1991, FOR OPERATING A CIVIL AIRCRAFT UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND WITH A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL IN EXCESS OF .04 PERCENT.  THE TOXICOLOGICAL REPORT FOR THIS ACCIDENT SHOWED THAT THE PILOT HAD A BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVEL OF .195 PERCENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9026E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9026E-1992-01-06), registration cancelled 1992-01-06, S/N 7063C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5
- Registry model: [Maule M-5-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (registry code 5460135) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7063C
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jesse G. Clifton
- Registered owner: Moeder, Rudy F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: FAI, FAIRBANKS, AK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 15,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19910816034499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910816034499A), Aug 16, 1991: Maule M5235C, Ruby, AK, Destroyed, 3 fatal. Observed to bank steeply and dive into lake on approach. Revoked license. Pilot and passenger high alcohol level.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.