Maule M-5-210C accident near Wetumpka, Alabama, May 23, 1992
On May 23, 1992 at about 8:15 pm local time, a Maule M-5-210C, registered N62047, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wetumpka, Alabama. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE FROM THE TRANSMISSION WIRES.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 23, 1992 · about 8:15 pm local time
- Place
- Wetumpka, Alabama · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-5-210C · all M-5-210Cs on the register
- Registration
- N62047 · no longer on the register · serial 6070C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS ON LOCAL, PLEASURE FLIGHT WITH A PASSENGER. THE PASSENGER REPORTED THAT WHILE CRUISING OVER A LAKE, THE PILOT JERKED THE AIRPLANE UP SHARPLY, THE WHEELS HUNG ON A POWER LINE, AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER INTO THE LAKE. THIS ACCOUNT WAS CONFIRMED BY WITNESSES ON THE NEARBY SHORE. THE PILOT WAS KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT, THE PASSENGER WAS RESCUED BY ONLOOKERS. THE AIRCRAFT SANK IN ABOUT 75 FEET OF WATER. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY EVIDENCE OF PRE-EXISITNG MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. THERE WAS IMPACT DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT, MAIN LANDING GEAR STRUT INDICATIVE OF BRAIDED METAL CABLE CONTACT. THIS WAS THE PASSENGER'S FIRST FLIGHT IN AN AIRPLANE.
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: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,000 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,543 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 8, 1991; 33 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-360-D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Wetumpka AL at 7:55 pm
- Destination: NONE
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,500 ft; clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:51 pm from MGM, 21 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.