# NTSB WPR10CA129: Maule M-5-235C, N9227E, Kelton, UT, February 6, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 6, 2010, 10:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Kelton, UT - Coordinates: 41.691112, -113.185279 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6911&lon=-113.1853&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 28, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75344 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75344/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75344 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA129 ## Probable cause The non-instrument-rated pilot's decision to take off and fly into marginal weather conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Ceiling/visibility/precip: low visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition; cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 175 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03035015/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: VFR encounter with IMC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 392 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/401/sequence.md) - [Enroute-descent: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 18 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private, non-instrument-rated pilot reported departing on a local personal flight. About 45 minutes after departure he encountered reduced visibility and elected to perform an off-field landing on a road. During the landing roll the airplane encountered a snow bank and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and left wing during the accident sequence. The closest weather reporting station to the departure airport reported a visibility of 3/4 miles, mist with a few clouds at 400 feet above ground level, and a broken layer at 1,200 feet about the time of departure. The same station reported visibilities of 1/4 mile, fog, with a broken cloud layer of 200 feet, and overcast 700 feet at the time of the accident. The pilot did not obtain a weather briefing prior to departure; he additionally reported no preexisting mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative The private, non-instrument rated pilot reported departing on a local personal flight. About 45 minutes after departure he encountered reduced visibility and elected to perform an off-field landing on a road. During the landing roll the airplane encountered a snow bank, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and left wing during the accident sequence. The closest weather reporting station to the departure airport reported a visibility of 3/4 miles, mist, with a few clouds at 400 feet above ground level (agl) and a broken layer at 1,200 feet about the time of departure. The same station reported visibilities of 1/4 mile, fog, with a broken cloud layer of 200 feet, and overcast 700 feet at the time of the accident. The pilot did not obtain a weather briefing prior to departure, he additionally reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9227E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9227E-2016-06-09), registration cancelled 2016-06-09, S/N 7137C, 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: 7137C - Airframe hours: 1617 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 21, 2009, 27 hours before - Departed: BMC, Brigham City, UT - Destination: BMC, Brigham City, UT - Airport: BMC, Brigham City Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 31; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 561 total, 316 in this make and model, 562 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 3 knots - Visibility: 0 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 200 ft broken - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KLGU, 68 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 20100206026869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100206026869A), Feb 6, 2010: Maule M-5-235C, Kelton, UT, Substantial damage. The pilot made the determination to land on a dirt road due to incliment weather. During the landing roll out the aircraft started to drift to the side of the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 5, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75344. 340 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 340 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40326398&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.