# NTSB GAA19CA395: Maule M5, N6127M, Gillette, WY, June 27, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 27, 2019, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Gillette, WY - Coordinates: 44.348888, -105.337501 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3489&lon=-105.3375&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - NTSB case key (mKey): 99801 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA395 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99801/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99801 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA395 ## 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-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) - [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-5-235C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=5460135), [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-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); 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 reported that, upon touchdown on the soft end of a private, turf airstrip, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing 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 that he should have overflown the airstrip to verify its condition. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during landing on a private turf airstrip, upon touchdown on the soft end of the runway, the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing 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 that he should have overflown the airstrip to verify its condition. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6127M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6127M), registered now, S/N 7162C, built 1977 (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: 7162C - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 2448 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2018 - Departed: PVT, Glenrock, WY - Destination: WY65, Gillette, WY - Airport: WY65, Madsen, runway 09, 2,400 × 40 ft - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 3, 2018; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 2,795 total, 2,260 in this make and model, 2,719 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Observed at: KGCC, 9 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 20190627008159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190627008159A), Jun 27, 2019: Maule M-5-235C, Gillette, WY, Substantial damage. Sod runway was soaked from recent rains. Aircraft sunk in wet ground upon landing and turned over ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 16, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99801. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 995 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479958&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 947 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479959&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.