Maule M-5-235C accident near Wasilla, Alaska, June 12, 2009
On June 12, 2009 at about 7:30 pm local time, a Maule M-5-235C, registered N407X, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Wasilla, Alaska (Finger Lake Seaplane Base airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's selection of an unsuitable takeoff area with an unfavorable wind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 12, 2009 · about 7:30 pm local time
- Place
- Wasilla, Alaska · Finger Lake Seaplane Base · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-5-235C · all M-5-235Cs on the register
- Registration
- N407X · registry record · serial 7041C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was departing to the southwest in a float-equipped airplane, operated under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. He said that variable south-southeasterly winds required a correction for a left crosswind during his takeoff run. As the airplane climbed to 70 feet above the water, the airspeed began to decrease, and the airplane stopped climbing as it neared the departure end of the lake. In the pilot's written statement to the NTSB he stated, in part: “It became apparent that the aircraft would not clear the trees at the end of the lake and there was insufficient room to land straight ahead.” The pilot indicated that as he turned the airplane to the left to avoid the trees, he lowered the nose to keep from stalling the airplane, and it descended at a high rate. The airplane’s floats struck the water, and the floats to fuselage struts collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and wing lift struts. The pilot indicated that there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane. He noted in his written statement to the NTSB that the accident might have been avoided if he had delayed his takeoff and waited for more favorable wind conditions, and if he had operated the airplane at a lower gross weight.
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
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Variable wind › Effect on operation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › (general) › (general) › Capability exceeded
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › (general) › Decision related to condition
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 12,000 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days; 80 in the last 30 days; 4,000 as pilot in command; 2,000 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,200 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 18, 2009; 95 hours since
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 99Z Wasilla AK at 2:30 pm
- Destination: Kenai AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 23
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.