No fatalities

8 Sep 2014: MAULE M 5-235C 235C — SMITH PAUL G — Talkeetna, AK

Talkeetna, AK, United States

On 8 Sep 2014, a MAULE M 5-235C 235C operated by SMITH PAUL G was involved in an aviation accident near Talkeetna, AK. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's excessive taxi speed, which resulted in a loss of control. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel-equipped airplane nosed over while back taxiing downhill on a vegetation-covered unimproved runway after accelerating into a soft muddy section. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical anomalies.

Accident Details

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane landed up-slope on a vegetation-covered unimproved runway. According to the pilot, he had landed at the same location four days earlier without incident. While back taxiing on the downhill portion of the runway, the airplane began to accelerate. The pilot applied the main wheel brakes in an effort to slow the airplane, but it continued into a soft muddy section and subsequently nosed over.

Damage

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and left wing lift strut. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Pilot Comments

In the recommendation section of the NTSB Accident/Incident Reporting Form 6120.1, the pilot stated that the accident may have been avoided if he had taxied at a slower speed, or if he had been more cautious of the changing runway conditions.

Contributing factors

Causes

PilotDirectional control — Not attained/maintained

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome