Maule M-5-235C accident near Moran, WY
On October 16, 1991, a Maule M-5-235C (airplane) was involved in an accident near Moran, WY. 3 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 16, 1991
- Place
- Moran, WY
- Aircraft
- Maule M-5-235C · Airplane
- Injuries
- 3 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 43.840°N, 110.501°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X18387
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 16, 1991, about 1030 mountain daylight time, N19AR, a Maule M-5-235C airplane, registered to Western Air Research, Inc., impacted mountainous terrain while maneuvering and was destroyed near Moran, Wyoming. There was a ground fire. The commercial pilot and his two passengers were fatally injured. Variable meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The aerial observation flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 and was engaged in a non-exclusive contract with the Wyoming Fish and Game Department. The local flight had departed from Jackson, Wyoming, about 0830. The intent of the flight was aerial observation, specifically wildlife tracking activities. According to FAA records, the pilot received three weather briefings via the Direct User Access Terminal (DUAT) in preparation for the flight. The briefings were received at 2103 one day prior to the accident, and again at 0603 and 0648 on the day of the accident. The pilot then filed a VFR flight plan via DUAT at 0651 for a flight from Driggs, Idaho, to Jackson, and then on to a wildlife survey 25 nautical miles northeast of Driggs. The pilot reported his estimated time of departure to be 0735, the duration of the flight to be four hours, and the total fuel on board to be five hours. According to the operator, the pilot departed by himself from Driggs after the airplane had been loaded with five hours of fuel. The pilot flew to the Jackson Hole Airport and landed about 0810. Two employees of the Wyoming Fish and Game Department boarded the airplane, a
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance and altitude from terrain while maneuvering, and his failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions. Factors contributing to the accident are terrain-induced turbulence, unfavorable winds, gusty high winds, and low altitude flight.
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Browse: Wyoming · Maule aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
