Maule M-5-235C accident near Alta, WY
On October 23, 1995, a Maule M-5-235C (airplane) was involved in an accident near Alta, WY. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 23, 1995
- Place
- Alta, WY
- Aircraft
- Maule M-5-235C · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 43.746°N, 111.029°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X04784
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 23, 1995, approximately 1742 hours mountain daylight time, a Maule M-5-235C, N71AR, registered to/operated by Western Air Research, Inc., and being flown by a commercial pilot, collided with terrain during an uncontrolled descent near Alta, Wyoming. The pilot, who was the president and operations officer for the Operator, was fatally injured. The aircraft was destroyed as was a portion of a wood fence, and there was a post crash fire. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time and a company flight plan was in effect. The flight, which was a bear/elk tracking trip, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated from Driggs, Idaho, approximately 1510. Several witnesses reported observing the aircraft travelling in an easterly direction and then entering a level, counter-clockwise turn estimated at 200-300 feet above ground in the vicinity of the pilot's residence. Approximately three-quarters through the turn the witnesses reported seeing the aircraft's right wing separate from the fuselage after which the aircraft descended rapidly to the ground (refer to attached witness statements). AIRCRAFT INFORMATION The Maule M5-235C was manufactured in 1984 and had accrued a total of 4,945 hours. There was no evidence within the aircraft's airframe log that any of the four lift struts had been replaced during the aircraft's operating life. The only references within the airframe logbook relative to the struts were on 02/01/85 and 04/01/87 where respective entries in the logs stated "checked struts" and "sanded rusty scratches on left fro
Probable cause
the corrosion, consequent fatigue cracking and ultimate separation of the right wing forward lift strut.
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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.
