# NTSB ATL07CA060: Maule M-5 235C, N56537, Moultrie, GA, March 18, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: March 18, 2007, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Moultrie, GA
- Coordinates: 31.12111, -83.584999
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1211&lon=-83.5850&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Atlanta FSDO-11
- NTSB case key (mKey): 65526
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL07CA060
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65526/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL07CA060

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing roll.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

According to the pilot he was on a short flight to a private airstrip.  During the approach to landing he announced his position, decreased engine power to idle, and extended full wing flaps. During landing roll out the airplane drifted to the left. The left wing collided with a row of trees and the airplane spun around 90 degrees. The pilot shut off the fuel, all electrical power, and exited the airplane. Examination by an FAA inspector revealed the left wing was buckled. The pilot did not report any mechanical or flight control anomalies prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot he was on a short flight to a private airstrip in Moultrie, Georgia. During the approach to landing he announced his position, decreased engine power to idle, and extended full wing flaps. During landing roll out the airplane drifted to the left. The left wing collided with a row of trees and the airplane spun around 90 degrees. The pilot shut off the fuel, all electrical power, and exited the airplane. Examination by an FAA inspector revealed the left wing was buckled. The pilot did not report any mechanical or flight control anomalies prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56537](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56537), registered now, S/N 7467C, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule M-5 235C
- Registry model: [Maule M-5-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (registry code 5470010) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7467C
- Airframe hours: 941
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Stephen G. Preas
- Registered owner: Stephen G. Preas
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2006, 60.4 hours before
- Departed: 2GA9, SNELLVILLE, GA
- Destination: Private strip, GA
- Airport: NONE, Private strip, runway 30, 4,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 1,147 total, 633 in this make and model, 1,147 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observed at: KMGR, 10 nm away

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.

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