Maule M7-235C accident near Palmer, Alaska, November 15, 1999
On November 15, 1999 at about 4:06 pm local time, a Maule M7-235C, registered N5657A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Palmer, Alaska (Four Corners Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's intentional takeoff into known adverse weather. Factors associated with this accident are crosswinds, gusts, and downdrafts.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 15, 1999 · about 4:06 pm local time
- Place
- Palmer, Alaska · Four Corners Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M7-235C · all M7-235Cs on the register
- Registration
- N5657A · registry record · serial 4013C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported he was attempting to takeoff in gusty, crosswind conditions. Once airborne, he said the strong right crosswind required almost a 90 degree crab. He stated the left wing contacted the trees, and the plane settled into the trees upright. The owner of the 1,500 feet long by 100 feet wide, north-south airstrip, who witnessed the accident, said winds and downdrafts were strong, gusty, and 'rolling over the trees.' The witness said the right crosswind pushed the airplane into the trees. The weather observation from an airport four miles to the west recorded winds from 040 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 25 knots.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 6,897 hours in all; 3,220 in this make and model; 152 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 6,734 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,128 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 10, 1999; 145 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 14AK at 4:06 pm
- Destination: Mystic Lake AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 36, 1,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 13 knots, gusting 25
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 34°F (1°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:15 pm from IYS, 4 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N5657A the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.