Maule MX-7-235 N5657Y

Summary

On 23 May 2008 at about 20:28 local time, a Maule MX-7-235 registered N5657Y was involved in an accident near Boulder, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 May 2008 at 20:28

Classification

Accident

Location

Boulder, Montana, United States

Coordinates

46.3208, -112.0700

Aircraft

Maule MX-7-235

Registration

N5657Y

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Bountiful → Helena

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

IMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX08LA154

1 person died.

The pilot's decision to continue flight at low altitude in instrument weather conditions and his failure to maintain clearance from a power line. Contributing to the accident were low cloud and visibility conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot received a weather briefing prior to departing on a cross-country personal flight. The weather briefer informed the pilot that a visual flight rules flight was not recommended along his intended route due to low ceilings, limited visibilities, and precipitation. While following an interstate highway at low altitude, the airplane collided with high-tension power lines that crossed the interstate, and came to rest in trees approximately 130 yards northwest of the lines. Fog, low clouds, snow, and rain were present in the area of the accident site both before and after the accident. The surviving passenger reported that no engine or airframe malfunctions were encountered during the flight.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.