# NTSB ATL84LA004: Maule M-6-235, N5646D, Elberta, AL, October 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1983, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Elberta, AL
- Coordinates: 30.410861, -87.600646 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4109&lon=-87.6006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6357
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA004
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6357/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA004

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with geographic area, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH A PASSENGER, WHO WAS ALSO A PLT, BUT WAS NOT PERFORMING AS SUCH ON THIS FLT. AFTER RETURNING TO THE ARPT, THE PLT LANDED ON THE NORTH-SOUTH RWY. HE STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, HE ENCOUNTERED A X-WIND THAT CAUSED THE ACFT TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE GRASS STRIP. THERE WAS A PARALLEL STRIP OF SMOOTH GROUND BESIDE THE RWY. THE PLT STATED THAT HE THOUGHT THE GROUND BESIDE THE RWY WAS HARD, PACKED DIRT, SO HE ALLOWED THE ACFT TO CONTINUE OFF THE GRASS AREA. HOWEVER, THE SOIL WAS SOFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE GEAR DUG IN & THE ACFT NOSED OVER. APRX 18 MI EAST NORTHEAST AT PENSACOLA, FL, THE WIND WAS FROM 140 DEG AT 6 KTS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5646D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5646D-2022-12-22), registration cancelled 2022-12-22, S/N 7387C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-6-235
- Registry model: [Maule M-6-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (registry code 5460160) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7387C
- Airframe hours: 229
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-W1ASD 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Fliegen Ltd.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 17, 1982, 81 hours before
- Departed: HKS, JACKSON, MS
- Airport: Miles Neumann, runway 36, 4,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,822 total, 106 in this make and model, 1,654 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 31 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PNS, 18 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 19831002056889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831002056889A), Oct 2, 1983: Maule M6235, Elberta, AL, Substantial damage. Allowed aircraft to roll off runway on landing in soft plowed ground. Aircraft then nosed over.

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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