# NTSB WPR26LA075: Maule M-5-235C, N56500, Jay Em, WY, January 1, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 1, 2026, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Jay Em, WY - Coordinates: 42.458961, -104.3737 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4590&lon=-104.3737&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 14, 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): 202254 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/202254/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202254 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA075 ## Probable cause The loss of directional control and subsequent nose over due to the inadvertent engagement of the right wheel parking brake as a result of cabin floor carpeting migrating between the right brake master cylinder and parking brake locking lever. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Maule M-5-235C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460135), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/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 pilot was conducting a personal flight and elected to land on a grass strip located on a friend’s property. Prior to landing, the pilot performed several low passes to assess the landing area. The pilot stated that the approach and touchdown were normal. During the landing rollt, as he applied brakes, the airplane abruptly yawed right and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, lift struts, vertical stabilizer, and rudder. Postaccident examination of the airplane by the pilot and a mechanic revealed that the right wheel was locked, while the left wheel rotated freely. Further examination by the mechanic revealed that cabin floor carpet had migrated upward and was lodged between the right brake master cylinder and the parking brake locking lever, which resulted in the right wheel parking brake being engaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56500](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56500), registered now, S/N 7371C, built 1983 (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: 7371C - Year built: 1983 - Airframe hours: 1380 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D 240 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 30, 2025, 70 hours before - Departed: NA, Lance Creek, WY - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 12, 2025; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 892 total, 130 in this make and model, 892 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 50 °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 20260101000609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260101000609A), Jan 1, 2026: Maule M-5-235C, Jay Elm, WY, Substantial damage. Pilot landed in a hay field applied brakes and the emergency brake engaged and locked up on the right landing gear ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 14, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=202254. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19881353&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA075-6120.1-Original_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20217842&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA075%20-%20Record%20of%20conversation%20-%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, mechanic (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 98 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19956785&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA075%20-%20Record%20of%20conversation%20-%20Mechanic_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 7 pages, 6 photos, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19954949&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR26LA075%20PHOTO%20ARRAY-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. --- 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.