# NTSB ERA26LA259: Maule M-5-235C, N9103E, Hickman, KY, July 6, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 5, 2026, 20:00 local (Jul 6, 2026, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Hickman, KY - Coordinates: 36.550059, -89.245879 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5501&lon=-89.2459&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 27, 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): 203316 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA259 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203316/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203316 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA259 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain a proper glide path, which resulted in a runway undershoot. ## 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: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis At the conclusion of a local flight the pilot was returning to his private grass airstrip. He reported the wind was gusting to about 13 knots, and while on short final approach to land, he felt that the wind died abruptly and the airplane “lost lift.” The airplane descended before contacting a field of soybeans just short of the runway. The airplane then nosed over and came to rest near the approach end of the runway. The pilot was seriously injured and airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical empennage, rudder, and wing struts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9103E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9103E), registered now, S/N 7099C, built 1977 (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 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: 7099C - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 2523 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 18, 2026, 3 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: N/A, N/A - Equipment: Onboard weather, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 29, 2026; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,800 total, 1,600 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 140° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 29.90 inHg - Observed at: UCY, 16 nm away - METAR: METAR KUCY 060055Z AUTO 14006KT 10SM FEW095 23/23 A2990 ## 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 20260705008699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260705008699A), Jul 5, 2026: Maule M-5-235C, Hickman, KY, Substantial damage. Pilot was doing touch and go's for currency on his private grass field. He had done a few and on the last landing he was aligned with the runway with a head… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 27, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203316. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 309 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20727404&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=pilot%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 133 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20727916&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20-%20Pilot%20Interview%20PDF_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20727635&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20-%20PDF-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. --- 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.