Maule M-5-235C N19AR

Summary

On 16 October 1991 at about 16:30 local time, a Maule M-5-235C registered N19AR was involved in an accident near Moran, Wyoming, United States. 3 people were on board and 3 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 October 1991 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Moran, Wyoming, United States

Coordinates

43.8399, -110.5009

Aircraft

Maule M-5-235C

Registration

N19AR

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Jackson → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

Unk

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA92FA222

3 people died.

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance and altitude from terrain while maneuvering, and his failure to adequately compensate for the wind conditions. Factors contributing to the accident are terrain-induced turbulence, unfavorable winds, gusty high winds, and low altitude flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane departed on a grizzly bear tracking flight. The flight involved maneuvering in close proximity to mountainous terrain. Strong, gusty winds and turbulence prevailed at the time of the accident. The winds were from the southwest. The airplane impacted trees and terrain while flying from a westerly direction along a mountain ridge beneath a 10,870-foot tall peak. The wreckage was distributed along a 200-foot path and the impact angle was estimated to be about 35 degrees. A fuel-fed ground fire was evident. No preimpact mechanical malfunctions associated with the engine or airframe were found.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.