No fatalities

9 Aug 2012: MAULE M-4C — TARDIFF RICHARD A — Lincoln, ME

Lincoln, ME, United States

On 9 Aug 2012, a MAULE M-4C operated by TARDIFF RICHARD A was involved in an aviation accident near Lincoln, ME. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. This summary draws on records from NTSB.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

During a wheel landing attempt, a tailwheel airplane veered left, nosed over, and sustained substantial damage to the wing spar and vertical stabilizer. The pilot had no prior experience in the make and model.

Incident Summary

A pilot, accompanied by a second pilot who did not hold a flight instructor certificate, was conducting takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern to become familiar with a tailwheel-equipped airplane. At the suggestion of the second pilot, the pilot attempted to perform a "wheel landing." During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with aileron and rudder inputs, but the airplane nosed over and subsequently came to rest inverted.

Damage

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the wing spar and vertical stabilizer.

Pilot Experience

The pilot reported no prior flight experience in the accident airplane make and model. He also stated that there were no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane.

Investigation Details

The investigation focused on the circumstances of the landing. No probable cause was determined in the available information.

Contributing factors

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot