# NTSB GAA16CA015: Maule M 7-260C, N288BC, Grace, ID, October 15, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 14, 2015, 18:30 local (Oct 15, 2015, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Grace, ID - Coordinates: 42.461387, -111.703887 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4614&lon=-111.7039&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92183 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92183/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92183 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA015 ## Probable cause The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); 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 of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed in a field that had numerous gopher holes and mounds. During the landing roll, the main landing gear encountered a soft spot in the terrain and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing strut, rudder, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed in a field that had numerous gopher holes and mounds. During the landing roll, the main landing gear encountered a soft spot in the terrain and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing strut, rudder, and horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N288BC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N288BC), registered now, S/N 30045C, built 2012 (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: 30045C - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 82 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-V4A5D 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ttp LLC - Registered owner: Ttp LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 2015 - Departed: Wayan, ID - Destination: Niter, ID - Equipment: Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 14, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 26,000 total, 80 in this make and model, 26,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KLGU, 41 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 20151015017249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151015017249A), Oct 15, 2015: Maule M-7-260C, Grace, ID, Substantial damage. N288BC, Maule M-7-260C, s/n 30045C flipped over upon landing in a field at Whiskey Creek Ranch Strip south-southeast of Grace Idaho. The aircraft sustained… ## Other investigations on N288BC (1) 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 WPR20CA198](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA198), Jun 24, 2020: Maule M7 (N288BC), Yellow Pine, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's improper approach airspeed and landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and subsequent nose over. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 14, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92183. 11.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 11.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434966&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 396 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40434967&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-Master.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.