# NTSB SEA97LA063: Maule M-5-180, N5652W, Jordan Valley, OR, February 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 21, 1997, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Jordan Valley, OR - Coordinates: 42.960384, -117.360931 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9604&lon=-117.3609&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42566 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA97LA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42566/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA063 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft, while landing. Factors relating to the accident included: the pilot's improper inflight decision to attempt a descent through what appeared to be a hole in the clouds, his inadvertent flight into icing conditions in the clouds, airframe icing, and tall vegetation growing in the vicinity of the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, descent - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor) - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor) - weather condition - icing conditions (contributing factor) - flight into adverse weather - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) - airframe - ice (contributing factor) - flight to destination alternate - performed, pilot in command - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis During a VFR flight over an overcast, the pilot decided to descend through what appeared to be a hole in the clouds. During the descent, the aircraft entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) and began picking up ice. About two minutes after entering IMC, the aircraft broke out of the clouds with about one-half inch of clear ice on its exterior. Because the aircraft's flight characteristics were changed by the accumulation of ice, the pilot decided to land at the nearest airport. Because of the ice build-up, the pilot elected to fly final faster than normal, and the aircraft ultimately touched down long and fast. While trying to slow the aircraft during the landing roll, the pilot failed to maintain directional control, and the aircraft exited the runway and rolled through tall sagebrush. ## Factual narrative On February 21, 1997, approximately 1530 Pacific standard time, the pilot of a Maule M-5-180, N5652W, lost control of his aircraft during the landing roll at Rome State Airport, near Jordan Valley, Oregon. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the wing structure. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Marysville, California about five hours earlier, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The aircraft was on a VFR flight plan, and there was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, while en route from Marysville, California to Boise, Idaho, he elected to descend through a break in the overcast. While attempting to descend through what appeared to be a hole in the clouds, he inadvertently entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). He continued an IMC descent for about two minutes, during which time about one-half inch of clear ice accumulated on the aircraft's exterior. After breaking out of the clouds, the pilot noticed that it took considerable left aileron to keep the aircraft level, and that it was "sluggish" in performance. Because of the unusual flight characteristics, and because the ice was not melting off, he proceeded directly to Rome State Airport in order to get the aircraft on the ground. He said that the winds were down the runway at five knots, but because the aircraft had ice on it, he came in fast and landed long. During the landing roll, while trying to slow the aircraft, the pilot failed to maintain directional control, and the aircraft departed the runway and ran through some tall sagebrush. The pilot said that there had been no mechanical malfunction or unusual weather condition at the airport, but that "It just got away from me." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5652W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5652W), registered now, S/N 8033C, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-5-180 - Registry model: [Maule M-5-180C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-180c) (registry code 5460204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 8033C - Airframe hours: 785 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kurt C. Larson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 20, 1996, 42 hours before - Departed: MYV, MARYSVILLE, CA - Destination: BOI, BOISE, ID - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: REO, Rome State, runway 30, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 678 total, 585 in this make and model, 622 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 5 knots - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft broken - Temperature: 36 °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 19970221047539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970221047539A), Feb 21, 1997: Maule M5180C, Jordanvalley, OR, Substantial damage. (-16) On 02/21/97, a Maule M-5-180, N5652W, piloted by kurt larson certificate #177914 ground looped and nosed over on landing at the Oregon rome state airport… ## Other investigations on N5652W (2) 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 SEA93LA037](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA93LA037), Dec 13, 1992: Maule M5-180C (N5652W), Garden Valley, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PLANNING AND PREPARATION. FACTORS INCLUDE THE SNOW COVERED RUNWAY. - [NTSB SEA85LA139](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA85LA139), Jun 15, 1985: Maule M-5-180C (N5652W), Ontario, OR, substantial damage 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.