N366X

On March 27, 2003, about 1330 central standard time, a Maule M-5-235C, N366X, registered to D P Aero, LC, nosed over while landing at a private airstrip named Porter STOLport, near Jay, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant was not injured. The flight originated about 1200, from Bob Sikes Airport, Crestview, Florida.

The pilot stated that after takeoff, the flight proceeded to the private airstrip where he performed two touch-and-go landings. The flight remained in the traffic pattern for another touch-and-go landing, and touched down with 2 notched of flaps extended within the first third of the 2,000-foot long runway designated 27. The airplane bounced and he maintained, "the tail down attitude and the plane settled down into the ground." He thought he could land and committed to the landing roll, but lost directional control towards the left side of the runway. He applied differential braking, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest about the middle of the runway near the departure end. He further reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had performed a go-around, and there was no mechanical failure or malfunction.