# NTSB ANC91LA135: Maule M-7-235, N5657A, Mystic Pass, AK, August 25, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1991, 16:00 local (Aug 25, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Mystic Pass, AK
- Coordinates: 63.610702, -154.780914 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=63.6107&lon=-154.7809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5610
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC91LA135
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5610/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA135

## Probable cause

THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS UNFAVORABLE WIND AND TURBULENCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - gusts
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT JUST AFTER THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF THE GROUND, THE 30 KNOT HEADWIND CHANGED TO A CROSSWIND.  THE AIRPLANE WAS BLOWN OFF THE SIDE OF THE STRIP AND CRASHED INTO THE BUSHES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5657A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5657A), registered now, S/N 4013C, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-7-235
- Registry model: [Maule M-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235) (registry code 5470208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4013C
- Airframe hours: 1505
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-W1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: George E. Palmer
- Registered owner: George E. Palmer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 1991, 176 hours before
- Flight plan: Company VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 4,600 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 4,540 as pilot in command, 163 in the last 90 days, 63 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 20 knots, gusting 35
- Visibility: 25 statute miles

## 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 19910824039829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910824039829A), Aug 24, 1991: Maule M7235, Mystic Pass, AK, Substantial damage. Drifted off runway on liftoff tail dragged in bushes. Stalled and hit ground. Blames a wind shift to a tailwind.

## Other investigations on N5657A (2)

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 ANC03LA119](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA119), Sep 19, 2003: Maule M-7-235 (N5657A), McGrath, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: Fuel starvation due to the pilot's improper placement of the fuel selector to a nearly empty fuel tank prior to takeoff, resulting in a loss of engine power, and an in-flight collision with trees.
- [NTSB ANC00LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC00LA013), Nov 15, 1999: Maule M7-235C (N5657A), Palmer, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's intentional takeoff into known adverse weather. Factors associated with this accident are crosswinds, gusts, and downdrafts.

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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