Accident Details
A Maule M-5-180C airplane experienced a runway excursion during landing. The aircraft touched down on the main landing gear, followed shortly by the tailwheel. The pilot then reported a "very strong pull to the left" and attempted to correct the deviation using aileron and rudder inputs. Despite the corrective actions, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck its wing, and came to rest upright.
Post-Accident Examination
Inspection of the tailwheel assembly revealed that the retention clip for the right compression spring was missing. The spring had become disconnected from the swing arm. The missing retention clip was not recovered.
Operational Sequence
The landing sequence proceeded normally until after the tailwheel touched down. The sudden leftward pull occurred after the tailwheel was on the ground. The pilot's efforts to counter the pull with aileron and rudder were insufficient to maintain directional control, resulting in the excursion and subsequent collision with terrain.