# NTSB SEA95LA216: Maule M-5-235C, N9041E, Moab, UT, September 11, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1995, 17:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Moab, UT
- Coordinates: 38.529582, -109.550735 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5296&lon=-109.5507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 27, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42247
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA216
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42247/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA216

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S LANDING LONG, PRECLUDING A GO-AROUND AND NOT MAINTAINING A PROPER DESCENT RATE. FACTORS WERE TREES AND THE CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - go-around - not performed, pilot in command
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper descent rate - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER ENCOUNTERING CROSSWINDS, THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND LANDED LONG ON HIS THIRD APPROACH. DURING THE FULL STALL LANDING HE ENCOUNTERED A GUST AND DUE TO TREES AT THE UPWIND END OF THE LANDING AREA HE 'HESITATED TO APPLY POWER.' THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD AND THE GEAR COLLAPSED.

## Factual narrative

On September 11, 1995, approximately 1715 mountain daylight time, a Maule M-5-235C, being flown by a private pilot, was substan- tially damaged during a hard landing at a remote landing site approximately 11 nautical miles northeast of Moab, Utah. The pilot and passenger were uninjured. No flight plan had been filed and visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight, which was personal, was to have been operated under 14CFR91, and originated at Salt Lake City, Utah, approximately 1530 hours.

The pilot reported that on his first approach to land he encountered a crosswind and executed a go-around. He executed a second approach which was terminated in a go-around due to the still existent (but lesser) crosswind condition. The pilot reported that he executed a third approach and that "after the airplane had stalled for a 3-point landing I encountered a strong wind gust that lifted the plane." He further reported that "because I had landed long [refer to photograph 1] I hesitated to apply power (trees at end of field) [refer to photograph 2]" and the "airplane dropped in hard and the landing gear collapsed."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9041E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9041E), registered now, S/N 7073C, built 1977 (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: 7073C
- Airframe hours: 636
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hohls, Wilhelm
- Registered owner: Bill'S Aircraft Service, LLC.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 1995, 68 hours before
- Departed: SLC, SALT LAKE CITY, UT

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 135 total, 20 in this make and model, 85 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 84 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GJT, 48 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 19950911028439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950911028439A), Sep 11, 1995: Maule M5235C, Moab, UT, Substantial damage. On third landing try at remote strip in crosswind. Gust lifted the plane. Allowed it to drop to runway due trees.

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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