No fatalities

24 Oct 2015: MAULE M5 235C — RICHARDS THOMAS J — Warrentown, VA

Warrentown, VA, United States

On 24 Oct 2015, a MAULE M5 235C operated by RICHARDS THOMAS J was involved in an aviation accident near Warrentown, VA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's lack of recent experience and ability to judge the airplane's height above the cattle-guard. 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 private pilot on his first flight in over a year struck a cattle-guard fence at the end of a grass runway, causing the airplane to nose over and sustain substantial damage.

Accident Details

During a landing attempt at a private grass runway, the pilot failed to maintain clearance of a cattle-guard fence located at the runway's end. The main landing gear snagged the cattle-guard, causing the nose of the airplane to dive into the ground. The airplane then nosed over inverted and came to rest upside down.

Aircraft Damage

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the firewall, both sets of wing struts, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder.

Pilot Statement

The private pilot, who had not flown in over a year due to cataract surgery, stated that he planned to perform touch-and-go landings to regain currency before a local flight. He reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane and attributed the accident to his lack of recent experience and ability to judge the airplane's height above the cattle-guard.

Probable cause

The pilot's lack of recent experience and ability to judge the airplane's height above the cattle-guard.

Contributing factors

Causes

Descent/approach/glide path — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome