# NTSB SEA03LA120: Maule M-5-235C, N8070, Moses Lake, WA, June 28, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 28, 2003, 11:55 local (18:55 UTC) - Place: Moses Lake, WA - Coordinates: 47.133335, -119.246665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1333&lon=-119.2467&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57353 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA03LA120 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57353/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA120 ## Probable cause An improper flare which resulted in a bounced landing during landing. The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and soft terrain were factors which eventually led to the aircraft nosing over. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that after touchdown the aircraft bounced. The pilot added power to prevent another bounce and felt that a gust of wind pushed the aircraft to the right side of the runway into the soft sand. The pilot realized that he could not get full power because the carburetor heat was on. The pilot turned off the carburetor heat and reported that "the plane lost power." The pilot pulled back on the control yoke and the airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident. The nearest weather reporting facility located five nautical miles northwest of the accident airport reported the winds from 70 degrees at eight knots. The pilot was landing on runway 34. ## Factual narrative On June 28, 2003, approximately 1155 Pacific daylight time, a Maule M-5-235C, N8070, registered to and operated by the private pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, nosed over during the landing roll at Moses Lake Municipal Airport, Moses Lake, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Wenatchee, Washington, about one hour and 30 minutes prior to the accident. During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that a landing was made to runway 34. After touchdown, the aircraft bounced and the pilot took corrective action to prevent another bounce. The pilot applied power and felt that a gust of wind pushed the aircraft to the right side of the runway into the soft sand. The pilot realized that he could not get full power because the carburetor heat was on. The pilot turned off the carburetor heat and reported that "the plane lost power." The pilot pulled back on the control yoke and the airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident The pilot reported the winds as "variable" at the time. The 1152 weather observation taken at Grant County International, Moses Lake, located five nautical miles northwest of Moses Lake Municipal Airport reported the winds from 70 degrees at eight knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8070](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8070), registered now, S/N 8070C, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-5-235C - 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: 8070C - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4-B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Glen R. White - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2003 - Departed: EAT, Wenatchee, WA - Destination: W20, Moses Lake, WA - Airport: W20, Moses Lake Muni, runway 34, 2,500 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 306 total, 89 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: MWH, 5 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 20030628013839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030628013839A), Jun 28, 2003: Maule M5235C, Moses Lake, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Bounced on landing, lost control, departed runway, aircraft overturned. ## Other investigations on N8070 (1) 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. - [NTSB LAX92LA372](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA372), Sep 1, 1992: Maule M5-180C (N8070), San Jose, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED LANDING FLARE WHICH RESULTED IN A BOUNCED LANDING AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING. 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.