Maule M-6-235 accident near Marietta, Georgia, May 31, 1984
On May 31, 1984 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Maule M-6-235, registered N56520, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marietta, Georgia (Laurel Lake airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 31, 1984 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Marietta, Georgia · Laurel Lake · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-6-235 · all M-6-235s on the register
- Registration
- N56520 · registry record · serial 7454C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE FLOAT EQUIPPED ACFT DEPARTED ON A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING FROM THE LAKE. SURFACE WINDS WERE REPORTED FROM THE NORTH AT 8 KTS GUSTING TO 15. WITH FULL FLAPS EXTENDED THE ACFT GOT AIRBORNE AND CONTINUED A DOWNWIND CLIMB OVER A TREE LINE TO ABOUT 250 FT AGL. THE ACFT DECELERATED AND STALLED ENTERING AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT TO IMPACT IN THE UNIMPROVED GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. ACCORDING TO THE ACFT FLIGHT MANUAL THE RECOMMENDED FLAP SETTING FOR TAKEOFF WAS THE SECOND NOTCH AND FOR CLIMB THE FIRST NOTCH.
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: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 4,500 hours in all; 45 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 4,500 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 12, 1983; 66 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: Kennesaw GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 2,500 ft by 500 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 360° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:52 pm from FTY, 15 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.
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.