# NTSB SEA00LA158: Maule M-5-235, N6269M, Paulina, OR, August 13, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 2000, 07:45 local (14:45 UTC) - Place: Paulina, OR - Coordinates: 43.590389, -118.889801 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.5904&lon=-118.8898&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report May 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49979 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49979/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA158 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain an airspeed above stalling speed (Vs), which resulted in a stall/mush into the terrain. Factors include mountainous/hilly terrain, tall trees, a high density altitude, and the pilot's diverted attention as he attempted to keep a herd of deer in sight while maneuvering. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor) - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) ## Analysis While maneuvering to look at potential game hunting sites in mountainous/hilly terrain, the pilot spotted a herd of deer. He then executed a turn in order to head back toward the location where he had seen the herd. During the turn, he realized he was approaching terrain that was rising faster than he had expected. He therefore added full power and attempted to maneuver away from some trees that he was not sure he was going to be able to clear. While maneuvering to miss the trees, he noticed that the airspeed was '...too low (42-44 knots).' Before the pilot was able to take further action, the left wing dropped and the aircraft impacted the terrain while still at full power. Density altitude at the accident location was approximately 7,000 feet. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 2000, approximately 0745 Pacific daylight time, a Maule M-5-235, N6269M, impacted the terrain while maneuvering to observe a heard of deer near Paulina, Oregon. The pilot and his passenger received minor injuries, and the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Portland-Troutdale Airport about one hour earlier, and was en route to Prineville Airport, Prineville, Oregon, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and the ELT, which was activated by the impact, assisted in the location of the accident site. According to the pilot, who was looking for potential places to hunt game, he was flying down a valley at 65 to 70 knots with full flaps extended. Upon spotting a heard of deer, he began a left turn in order to "...go back in their direction." During the turn, he realized that he had turned toward terrain that was rising faster than he had expected. He then added full power, and attempted to maneuver away from some trees that he was not sure he was going to clear. As he attempted to turn toward a more open area, he noticed that his airspeed "...was too low (42-44 knots)." Before he was able to take any further action, the aircraft's left wing dropped, and the aircraft impacted the terrain while still at full power. Based upon an altitude of 5,800 feet, a temperature of 58 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.00 inches of Mercury, the density altitude at the accident site was calculated to be approximately 7,000 feet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6269M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6269M), registered now, S/N 7213C, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-5-235 - 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: 7213C - Airframe hours: 1146 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J2A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Greg S. Miller - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, December 8, 1999, 46 hours before - Departed: TTD, TROUTDALE, OR - Destination: S39, PRINEVILLE, OR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 582 total, 273 in this make and model, 533 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 25 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## 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 20000813013229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000813013229A), Aug 13, 2000: Maule M5235C, Paulina, OR, No damage. (-23) Departed from ttd at 0530 enroute to Paulina, OR (ochoco forest). Aircraft was being operated at slow speed (<60 knots/<250' altitude), viewing elk herd.… 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.