Summary
On September 08, 2014, a Maule M 5-235C (N56332) was involved in an incident near Talkeetna, AK. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's excessive taxi speed, which resulted in a loss of control.
The pilot had landed the tailwheel-equipped airplane up-slope, on a vegetation covered unimproved runway. He reported that he had landed at the same location four days prior 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 it subsequently nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer, rudder, and left wing lift strut.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC14CA081. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N56332.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's excessive taxi speed, which resulted in a loss of control.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot had landed the tailwheel-equipped airplane up-slope, on a vegetation covered unimproved runway. He reported that he had landed at the same location four days prior 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 it subsequently nosed over. 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.
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.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC14CA081