Maule M-6-235 accident near Mobile, Arizona, February 13, 1991
On February 13, 1991 at about 10:46 pm local time, a Maule M-6-235, registered N5662F, was destroyed in an accident near Mobile, Arizona. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOTS' FAILURE TO ESTABLISH A SUFFICIENT CLIMB RATE TO AVOID STRIKING A FENCE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 13, 1991 · about 10:46 pm local time
- Place
- Mobile, Arizona
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-6-235 · all M-6-235s on the register
- Registration
- N5662F · no longer on the register · serial 7469C
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT WAS DEPARTING A PRIVATELY OWNED DIRT RUNWAY. JUST AFTER LIFTOFF, THE TAIL WHEEL STRUCK A BARBED WIRE FENCE THAT CROSSED THE DEPARTURE CORRIDOR. THE AIRPLANE THEN CRASHED ON DESERT TERRAIN, SHEARING OFF THE ENGINE AND DESTROYING THE 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; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 551.2 hours in all; 164.6 in this make and model; 17.6 in the last 90 days; 6.3 in the last 30 days; 432.2 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-W1A50 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: P10 Chandler AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0, 1,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.