No fatalities

28 May 2018: MAULE M5 235C — Lewiston, ID

Lewiston, ID, United States

On 28 May 2018, a MAULE M5 235C was involved in an aviation accident near Lewiston, ID. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot’s failure to maintain the runway centerline and his subsequent decision to not perform a go-around, which resulted in the main landing gear contacting tall wheat and a subsequent 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 airplane struck a wheat field bordering a private grass airstrip during landing, veered right, and nosed over, resulting in substantial damage to the right lift strut.

Accident Narrative

During short final approach to a private, 80-foot-wide grass airstrip, the pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane aligned the aircraft with the right edge of the runway. The pilot executed a slip to the left, but the right main landing gear contacted a tall wheat field that bordered the runway. Following the contact, the airplane began to veer to the right. The pilot reported that the airplane continued its rightward movement and subsequently nosed over.

Damage

The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right lift strut.

Pilot Statement

The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In the safety recommendation section of the NTSB Form 6120.1, the pilot noted that he should have initiated an immediate go-around procedure once he realized the approach was not normal.

Contributing factors

Causes

Heading/course — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Contributed to outcome