Maule M-5-210C accident near Babb, MT
On April 16, 2000, a Maule M-5-210C (airplane) was involved in an accident near Babb, MT. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 16, 2000
- Place
- Babb, MT
- Aircraft
- Maule M-5-210C · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 48.779°N, 113.370°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X20911
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 16, 2000, approximately 1630 mountain daylight time, a Maule M-5-210C, N284X, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, was reported missing after it did not arrive at its destination in Three Hills, Alberta, Canada. On April 19, 2000, at 1130, the wreckage was located by search personnel in a canyon surrounded by mountainous terrain approximately 10 nautical miles west of Babb, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at Glacier Park International Airport, 30 nautical miles southwest; however, the conditions at the accident site at the time are unknown. The aircraft was destroyed and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The flight departed from Polson, Montana, approximately one hour prior to the accident. There was no report of emergency locator transmitter activation. Radar data provided by Langley AFB, indicated that the aircraft was initially identified on radar at Flathead Lake, near Lakeside, Montana, about the time the pilot activated the VFR flight plan. The flight path proceeded on a northeasterly heading at the highest altitude of about 10,500 feet, and then descended to 9,200 feet when the target was lost near Mount Henkel in the Glacier National Park. The end of the data targets indicates that the flight turned to an easterly direction, before turning to a northwesterly direction when the target was lost. The Great Falls Sectional indicates that the highest obstacle in that area is 10,800 feet (See attached RADAR tracking data and maps). The wreckage was sighted by se
Probable cause
Terrain clearance was not maintained. High mountains, mountain obscuration, and the pilot's inadequate preflight planning/preparation were factors.
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Browse: Montana · 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.
