# NTSB ANC14CA081: Maule M 5-235C, N56332, Talkeetna, AK, September 8, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 8, 2014, 11:23 local (19:23 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 61.579914, -149.439315 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.5799&lon=-149.4393&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 90078 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC14CA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90078/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90078 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC14CA081 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive taxi speed, which resulted in a loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: wet surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 141 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot had landed the tailwheel-equipped airplane up-slope, on a vegetation covered unimproved runway. He reported that he had landed at the same location four days prior without incident. While back taxiing on the downhill portion of the runway the airplane began to accelerate. The pilot applied the main wheel brakes in an effort to slow the airplane, but it continued into a soft muddy section, and it subsequently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and left wing lift strut. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been avoided if he had taxied at a slower speed, or if he had been more cautious of the changing runway conditions. ## Factual narrative The pilot had landed the tailwheel-equipped airplane up-slope, on a vegetation covered unimproved runway. He reported that he had landed at the same location four days prior without incident. While back taxiing on the downhill portion of the runway the airplane began to accelerate. The pilot applied the main wheel brakes in an effort to slow the airplane, but it continued into a soft muddy section, and it subsequently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and left wing lift strut. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been avoided if he had taxied at a slower speed, or if he had been more cautious of the changing runway conditions. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56332](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56332), registered now, S/N 7253C, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M 5-235C (235C) - Registry model: [Maule M-5-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (registry code 5460135) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7253C - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 10335 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Smith Paul G - Registered owner: Smith Paul G - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 13, 2014 - Departed: AK43, Wasilla, AK - Destination: Talkeetna, AK - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 14, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,065 total, 455 in this make and model, 2,042 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: PATK, 45 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20140908023079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140908023079A), Sep 8, 2014: Maule M-5-235C, Skwentna, AK, Substantial damage. On 08 sep 2014, N56332 departed AK43 for private remote airstrip for a 14CFR part 91 personal flight. After landing; aircraft started to back taxiing,… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 24, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90078. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419386&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.