# NTSB GAA18CA311: Maule M5, N5634Y, Lewiston, ID, May 28, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 27, 2018, 18:30 local (May 28, 2018, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Lewiston, ID - Coordinates: 46.309444, -116.964447 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.3094&lon=-116.9644&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97365 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA311 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97365/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97365 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA311 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain the runway centerline and his subsequent decision to not perform a go-around, which resulted in the main landing gear contacting tall wheat and a subsequent loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: heading/course](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 82 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062047/cases.md) - [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) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/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 The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was aligned with the right edge of the 80-ft-wide private, grass airstrip during short final. The pilot slipped the airplane to the left, but the right main landing gear contacted the tall wheat field that bordered the runway, and the airplane began to veer right. He added that the airplane continued to the right and subsequently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot indicated that he should have initiated an immediate go-around procedure once he realized the approach was not normal. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was aligned with the right edge of the 80 ft. wide private, grass airstrip during short final. The pilot slipped the airplane to the left, but the right main landing gear contacted the tall wheat field that bordered the runway, and the airplane began to veer right. He added that the airplane continued to the right, and subsequently nosed over. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added in the NTSB Form 6120.1 section titled "Operator/Owner Safety Recommendation" that he should have initiated an immediate go around procedure once he realized the approach was not normal. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5634Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5634Y), registered now, S/N 7290C, built 1979 (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: 7290C - Year built: 1979 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 17, 2017, 749 hours before - Departed: PVT, Lewiston, ID - Destination: PVT, Lewiston, ID - Airport: PVT, Pvt, runway W, 2,000 × 80 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 2, 2017; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,000 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,975 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3.5 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KLWS, 4 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 20180527006009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180527006009A), May 27, 2018: Maule M-5-235C, Lewiston, ID, Substantial damage. Pilot was on final landing at a private grass airstrip about five miles south of Lewiston Idaho. The pilot reported he was not lined up with the runway, and at… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 25, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97365. 572 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 429 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466833&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466834&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.