# NTSB CHI97LA120: Maule M-5, N290X, West Fargo, ND, May 3, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 3, 1997, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: West Fargo, ND - Coordinates: 46.869155, -96.890861 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8692&lon=-96.8909&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10556 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10556/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA120 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to attain a proper touchdown point. Factors relating to the accident were: the unfavorable wind conditions, and the terrain condition where the airplane touched down. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - water (contributing factor) - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis The pilot had moved his airplane from the airport due to flooding. He was in the process of returning the airplane, when the accident occurred. The majority of the airport was still under water with the exception of a 600-700 foot section of taxiway in front of the T-hangars on which the pilot was attempting to land. The pilot stated he lost a headwind, when he descended below the hangar height, and the airplane touched down short of the taxiway in two to three feet of water. The airplane then contacted the edge of the taxiway and nosed over. ## Factual narrative On May 3, 1997, at 0930 central daylight time, a Maule M-5, N290X, registered to and flown by a commercial pilot nosed over on landing at the West Fargo Utility Airport, West Fargo, North Dakota. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated from the Fargo Hector International Airport, Fargo, North Dakota, at 0915 cdt. The pilot had moved his airplane from the West Fargo Utility Airport due to flooding in area. He was in the process of moving the airplane back to the airport when the accident occurred. Most of the airport was under water with the exception of an 600 to 700 foot long section of taxiway. The pilot was attempting to land on this section of taxiway which he reported was in front of his T-hangar. The pilot reported that during the landing he lost the headwind when he descended below the hangar and he became disoriented due to the "glassy water on 3 sides." The airplane touched down in two to three feet of water approximately six feet short of the intended touchdown point on the taxiway. According to the pilot, the airplane contacted the edge of the taxiway and nosed over "Coming to rest exactly at intended touchdown point." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N290X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N290X), registered now, S/N 6114C, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-5 - Registry model: [Maule M-5-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-210c) (registry code 5460134) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6114C - Engines: Continental IO-470 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Edward P. Ferguson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: FAR, FARGO, ND - Destination: D54, ND - Airport: D54, West Fargo Utility ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,500 total, 30 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 2° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FAR, 3 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 19970503007649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970503007649A), May 3, 1997: Maule M5210C, West Fargo, ND, Substantial damage. Aircraft attempting to land on taxiway when it settled into water at edge of taxiway and flipped over. (-23) the owner/pilot conducted the flight under CFR 14… 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.