Maule MX-7-235 accident near Blair Lakes, Alaska, June 29, 1991
On June 29, 1991 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Maule MX-7-235, registered N5665A, was substantially damaged in an accident near Blair Lakes, Alaska (Blair Lakes 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
WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE FOR HIS AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH VEGETATION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 29, 1991 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Blair Lakes, Alaska · Blair Lakes · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule MX-7-235 · all MX-7-235s on the register
- Registration
- N5665A · no longer on the register · serial 10028C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
ACCORDING TO THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND, THE AIRSTRIP WAS VERY NARROW WITH NO MARGIN FOR ERROR. DURING HIS TAKEOFF ROLL, THE AIRPLANE'S LEFT WING STRUCK SOME WILLOW TREES. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GET THE AIRPLANE AIRBORNE, HOWEVER, IT CONTINUED INTO THE HEAVIER WILLOWS OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.
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: 1,338 hours in all; 99 in this make and model; 54 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 1,212 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 456 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 8, 1990; 97 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: NONE Blair Lakes AK at 4:00 pm
- Destination: FAI Fairbanks AK
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 3, 1,500 ft by 15 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 8 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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 N5665A 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.