# NTSB SEA01LA079: Maule M-7-235, N126DP, Summer Lake, OR, April 26, 2001

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 26, 2001, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Summer Lake, OR
- Coordinates: 42.860958, -120.70903 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8610&lon=-120.7090&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Portland FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 52182
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52182/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA079

## Probable cause

the pilot's decision to land on a dry lake bed without first taking action to determine the firmness of the surface. Factors include soft terrain at the location the pilot chose to land.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot elected to make an off-field landing in an area that had previously been covered by a lake when water levels were higher. The pilot used soft-field techniques, and the initial touchdown was uneventful. But, as the aircraft slowed, it sank into the soft terrain and nosed over. The pilot had taken no action to determine the firmness of the terrain prior to landing.

## Factual narrative

On April 26, 2001, approximately 1200 Pacific daylight time, a Maule M-7-235, N126DP, nosed over during a landing on soft terrain near the edge of Summer Lake, Summer Lake, Oregon. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft, which was owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Bend, Oregon, about 45 minutes earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed. The ELT, which was activated by the accident sequence, was turned off at the scene.

According to the pilot, he performed a soft-field landing in an area that had previously been covered by the lake when water levels were higher. Although the touchdown was uneventful, as the aircraft slowed, the main gear sank into the soft terrain and it nosed over onto its back. The pilot said he had not taken any action to determine how soft the terrain was prior to landing.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N126DP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N126DP), registered now, S/N 25004C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule M-7-235
- Registry model: [Maule M-7-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235c) (registry code 5460110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25004C
- Airframe hours: 454
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Dennis R. Pekkola
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 2000, 40 hours before
- Departed: S07, Bend, OR
- Destination: Summer Lake, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review February 24, 2000; seat: left; flight hours: 1,395 total, 1,245 in this make and model, 1,341 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 20010426006899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010426006899A), Apr 26, 2001: Summer Lake, OR, No damage. (.19) On April 26, 2001, approx. 1035 PDT, a Maule M-7-235, N126DP, nosed over during a landing on soft terrain near the edge of Summer Lake, Summer Lake,…

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.

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