On May 23, 1992, a Maule M-5-210C (registration N62047) operated by Colquitt, Robert T. was involved in an aviation accident near Wetumpka, AL. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE FROM THE TRANSMISSION WIRES. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot performing a sharp upward maneuver over a lake caught the landing gear on a power line, causing the aircraft to nose over and sink. The pilot was killed; the passenger was rescued.
Incident Details
A private pilot was conducting a local pleasure flight with a single passenger when the accident occurred. While cruising over a lake, the passenger reported that the pilot abruptly jerked the airplane upward. The landing gear became hung on a power line, and the aircraft nosed over into the water.
Witness Account
Witnesses on the nearby shore confirmed the passenger's account of the sequence of events. The aircraft sank in approximately 75 feet of water. The passenger was rescued by onlookers; the pilot was killed in the accident.
Investigation Findings
Inspection of the wreckage revealed no evidence of pre-existing mechanical malfunction or failure. Impact damage was found on the right main landing gear strut, consistent with contact from a braided metal cable. This was the passenger's first flight in an airplane.
What happened in the 23 May 1992 Maule M-5-210C accident near Wetumpka, AL?
A private pilot performing a sharp upward maneuver over a lake caught the landing gear on a power line, causing the aircraft to nose over and sink. The pilot was killed; the passenger was rescued.
Were there any fatalities in the 23 May 1992 Maule M-5-210C accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 23 May 1992 involved a Maule M-5-210C, registration N62047, operated by Colquitt, Robert T., at Wetumpka, AL.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE FROM THE TRANSMISSION WIRES.
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