- Date
- December 21, 1996, 11:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place
- Levant, ME
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Approach
- Aircraft
- N56391Maule M-5
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 30, 1997
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19961221039729A
- Case key
- 39313
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from tree(s) during an attempted go-around. The crosswind and proximity of tree(s) were related factors.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot/owner departed from his private airstrip and flew a local flight. When he returned to land at his airstrip, he encountered a left crosswind, while landing to the north, and the airplane drifted right of the runway. The pilot then attempted a go-around, and the airplane struck trees. The pilot stated that he did not encounter any malfunctions of the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact failure of the airframe or engine. An airport 10 miles from the accident site reported the winds to be from 290 degrees at 16 knots.
Factual narrative
On December 21, 1996, at 1100 eastern standard time, a Maule M-5, N56391, was substantially damaged during a go-around at a private airstrip, Levant, Maine. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at the private strip. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot/owner of the airplane and airstrip stated:
"While attempting to land, gusting cross wind blew airplane off runway; attempting a go-around airplane was blown into pine tree."
In the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector's report, he stated the pilot attempted a northerly landing at his private airstrip, when a left cross wind caused the airplane to drift to the right of the runway. The pilot attempted a go-around, and the airplane struck trees. The pilot stated to the FAA Inspector that he did not encounter any malfunction of the airplane. Examination of the airplane by the FAA Inspector revealed no preimpact failure of the airframe or engine.
An airport 10 miles from the accident site reported the winds to be from 290 degrees at 16 knots.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N56391
- Reported as
- Maule M-5
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 7331C
- Airframe hours
- 330
- Engine
- Lycoming O-540-J1A5D, 235 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Paul F. Griffin
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · March 30, 1996 · 22 hours before
- Departed
- ME35
- Airport
- NONE · Griffin Field, runway 3, 2,500 × 100 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 60
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 532 total · 250 in this make and model · 532 as pilot in command · 15 in the last 90 days · 3 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 290° at 16 knots
- Visibility
- 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 37 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.00 inHg
- Observed at
- BGR, 10 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.