# NTSB CEN20CA356: Maule M5, N386X, Olathe, KS, August 19, 2020

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 19, 2020, 18:16 local (23:16 UTC)
- Place: Olathe, KS
- Coordinates: 38.847221, -94.737777 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8472&lon=-94.7378&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 101842
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA356
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101842/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101842
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA356

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of directional control during landing.

## 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)
- [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)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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)

## Analysis

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the airplane touched down on the runway without incident. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane encountered a sudden wind gust and turned to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with aileron and rudder input. However, the airplane continued to turn left about 180° and came to rest upright. He stated that his aileron input was incorrect and exaggerated the left turn. In addition, he reported he was an inexperienced tailwheel pilot and the accident was "100% a case of pilot error." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the airplane touched down on the runway without incident. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane encountered a sudden wind gust and turned to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with aileron and rudder input. However, the airplane continued to turn left about 180° and came to rest upright. He stated that his aileron input was incorrect and exaggerated the left turn. In addition, he reported he was an inexperienced tailwheel pilot and the accident was "100% a case of pilot error." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N386X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N386X), registered now, S/N 7029C, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule M5 (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: 7029C
- Year built: 1976
- Airframe hours: 988
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-51ASD 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 2020, 1 hours before
- Departed: OJC, Olathe, KS
- Destination: OJC, Olathe, KS
- Airport: OJC, Johnson County Executive, runway 18, 4,098 × 75 ft, concrete
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot, ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 21, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 471 total, 11 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: OJC

## 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 20200819016889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200819016889A), Aug 19, 2020: Maule M-5-235C, Olathe, KS, Substantial damage. After landing on runway 18, the aircraft veered left departing the runway. The pilot stated that the landing touchdown was normal, but then a gust of wind…

## Other investigations on N386X (2)

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.

- [NTSB NYC85LA096](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA096), Mar 31, 1985: Maule M-5-235C (N386X), Pittsfield, MA, substantial damage
- [NTSB NYC81FNE25](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC81FNE25), Aug 6, 1981: Maule M-5 (N386X), Pittsfield, MA, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101842. 6.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 5.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10104495&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_1%20NTSB_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=10103834&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.

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