N31078

On October 1, 2000, at approximately 1627 mountain daylight time, a Maule M-7-235B, N31078, registered to and operated by Chase and Baxter Investments, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at Ogden-Hinckley Airport, Ogden, Utah. The airline transport certificated pilot and his three passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Elko, Nevada, at approximately 1500.

According to the pilot's accident report, the airplane landed on runway 25. During the landing roll, the tail wheel "failed." The airplane then ground looped and departed the right side of the runway, tipping on its left side and collapsing the left main landing gear. The left wing spar was also damaged.

The pilot was asked to explain why the tail wheel failed. He did not respond to the request. According to the FAA inspector who examined the airplane, he saw no evidence of preimpact malfunction or failure. He said it appeared that the pilot had made a hard landing, and that the tail wheel had failed as a result of overload forces.

The pilot was also asked for the seating arrangement He indicated his son-in-law occupied the left front seat.