# NTSB ERA26LA184: Maule M-7-260C, N41S, Tampa, FL, April 23, 2026

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 23, 2026, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Tampa, FL · Peter O. Knight Airport
- Coordinates: 27.915257, -82.450293 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9153&lon=-82.4503&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202875
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202875/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202875
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA184

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the aborted landing, which resulted in a runway excursion, collision with a runway sign, and nose over.

## 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-7-260C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5470112), [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-7-260C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5470112), [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-aborted after touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that during landing he flared higher than normal and the airplane bounced on touchdown. While attempting to abort the landing, the pilot applied full power and the airplane subsequently veered left. He attempted to maintain directional control with the rudder pedals, but the airplane continued to the left, exited the runway, hit a runway sign and nosed over. The accident resulted in substantial damage to both wings, fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41S), registered now, S/N 30061C, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-7-260C
- Registry model: [Maule M-7-260C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-260c) (registry code 5470112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-V4A5D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-v4a5d) (registry code 41807, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 30061C
- Year built: 2019
- Airframe hours: 335
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-V4A5D 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Continental National Aviation LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 20, 2026, 37 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: TPF, Peter O Knight, runway 22, 3,583 × 100 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 29, 2026; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 578 total, 255 in this make and model, 317 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observed at: TPF
- METAR: METAR KTPF 231935Z AUTO 22007KT 10SM SCT080 28/12 A2999 RMK AO2 T02820120

## 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 20260423010519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260423010519A), Apr 23, 2026: Maule M-7-260C, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed tpf. Did one lap in the pattern. Upon landing the pilot lost control and veered off runway and struck a sign.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202875. 3.2 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20433730&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=5-15-2026%20NTSB%206120%20pilot%20signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20433838&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA26LA184%20PHOTO%20ARRAY-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� event date correction (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20459578&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA26LA184_MOR_PILOT_DATE_CORRECTION_Redacted-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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