Maule M-7-235 accident near Seward, AK
On July 7, 2005, a Maule M-7-235 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Seward, AK. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- July 7, 2005
- Place
- Seward, AK
- Aircraft
- Maule M-7-235 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 4 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 60.007°N, 148.768°W
- NTSB ID
- 20050721X01069
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 7, 2005, about 1100 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Maule M-7-235 airplane, N5661J, sustained substantial damage when it impacted water and sank, following an in-flight loss of control during final approach at Johnstone Lake, about 25 miles southeast of Seward, Alaska. The airplane was being operated by Glacier Air Adventures, of Anchorage, Alaska, as a visual flight rules (VFR) business flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial certificated pilot/lodge operator and three passengers received minor injuries, a fourth passenger received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and company flight following procedures were in effect. The flight originated at Bear Lake, 6 miles northeast of Seward, about 1030. During an interview with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC) on July 7, the pilot said the flight from Bear Lake to Johnstone Lake was to transport passengers for a kayaking adventure on Johnstone Lake at the foot of the Excelsior Glacier. He said the flight was uneventful until, about 25-50 feet above Johnstone Lake, during the final approach for landing on the lake, the airplane "quit flying." He said the airplane impacted the lake in a near-level attitude, with a high rate of descent. He and the four passengers exited the airplane, and stood on top of the wings and fuselage. He said the float's supporting structure had collapsed, and the wings were resting on the top of the floats on the water. He stated the airplane was more than a mile from
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain minimum airspeed during final approach, which resulted in an inadvertent stall, and impact with the surface of the lake.
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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.
