On July 21, 1996, a Maule M5-210TC (registration N5646N) was involved in an aviation accident near Olathe, KS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's improper recovery from a bounced landing. Factors associated with the accident were the uncontrolled porpoise encountered and the pilot's lack of recent experience in tailwheel airplanes. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot with limited recent experience bounced the airplane 6 to 9 times during landing, causing it to depart the runway and ground loop. No mechanical issues were found.
Incident Details
Witnesses observed the airplane bounce between 6 and 9 times during the landing sequence. The airplane subsequently departed the side of the runway and executed a ground loop. The aircraft was equipped with tundra tires at the time of the incident.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had completed a 1.5-hour biennial flight review five days prior to the accident. According to records, the pilot's last recorded flight occurred four years before the flight review, and the most recent tailwheel flight took place eight years before the review.
Mechanical Inspection
During the post-incident examination, investigators found no mechanical anomalies with the brakes or tailwheel. The systems were deemed to have functioned normally.