Maule M-7 accident near Barrow, AK
On August 24, 1996, a Maule M-7 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Barrow, AK. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 24, 1996
- Place
- Barrow, AK
- Aircraft
- Maule M-7 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 71.279°N, 156.780°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06388
Official records · ANC96FA131
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 23, 1996, at 2030 Alaska daylight time, a float equipped Maule M-7 airplane, N5656A, registered to and operated by the pilot, crashed on a gravel bar on the Nigu River located approximately 135 nautical miles south of Barrow, Alaska. The personal flight departed Etivluk Lake for a local flight. No flight plan was filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The certificated commercial pilot and the passenger received fatal injuries. The airplane was destroyed by post impact fire. WITNESSES Two witnesses were camped in the Howard Pass area of the Brooks range. Their campsite was located approximately 15 miles west, northwest of the accident site. In a statement dated August 29, 1996, they related the following information: "Last Friday evening we observed an airplane with floats flying first in a southwesterly direction over the Etivluk River then back to the Northeast direction over the same river. The plane was flying very low." The witness and his son stated they wondered what an airplane was doing flying in this sort of weather. They described the wind as "horrendous." They estimated the wind to 80 knots. They described water flying off the whitecaps on the lake for "tens of yards." They tried to stand in the wind and they had to lean so far forward that they felt like they were "ski jumping." Neither saw the airplane crash. INJURIES TO PERSONS Both occupants were fatally injured. DAMAGE TO AIRCRAFT The airplane fuselage was destroyed by post impact fire. The right wing remained attached to the fuselage cabin top tubing. The wing's le
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate weather evaluation and resultant flight into adverse weather conditions. Factors associated with the accident were: high winds and terrain induced turbulence.
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Browse: Alaska · 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.
