# NTSB WPR26LA055: Maule M-5-210C, N339X, Eureka, MT, December 9, 2025

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: December 9, 2025, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Eureka, MT
- Coordinates: 48.968479, -115.07934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.9685&lon=-115.0793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 2026
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 202143
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202143/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202143
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA055

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of recent flight experience.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-210C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-210C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: recent experience](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-210C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035/cases.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 76 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-5-210C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Maule M-5-210C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Maule M-5-210C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=5460134), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that upon landing in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, it encountered a crosswind. The right wing lifted, and the left wing dropped and struck the runway, contacting the asphalt surface. The pilot reported that he did not apply appropriate crosswind control inputs during landing. The airplane subsequently ground looped and exited the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and aileron. The pilot reported no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing on runway 19 with light and variable wind at 5 knots. The pilot added that the accident flight was his first flight in about 7 years, but could not remember exactly when his last flight was.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N339X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N339X), registered now, S/N 6151C, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-210C
- Registry model: [Maule M-5-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-210c) (registry code 5460134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6151
- Year built: 1975
- Airframe hours: 2534
- Engines: Continental IO-360 210 hp reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2023, 1 hours before
- Departed: 53U, Big Fork, MT
- Destination: 88M, Eureka, MT
- Airport: 88M, Eureka, runway 01/19, 4,200 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Stall warning system, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; last flight review June 26, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 877 total, 500 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.97 inHg
- Turbulence: Light
- Observed at: KGPI, 51 nm away
- METAR: METAR KGPI 092055Z 00000KT 10SM SCT060 07/M03 A2997

## Other investigations on N339X (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 DEN04LA053](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN04LA053), Mar 26, 2004: Maule M-5-210C (N339X), Broomfield, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot of the Maule's failure to maintain a visual lookout.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 13, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202143. 7.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19747004&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=R-WPR26LA055-%206120.1%20Original_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photos (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19923730&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs%20-%20WPR26LA055-Rel.pdf
- Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19923770&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%20pilot%20-%20WPR26LA055_Redacted-Rel.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.

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