Summary
On May 28, 2018, a Maule M5 (N5634Y) was involved in an accident near Lewiston, ID. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: 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.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was aligned with the right edge of the 80 ft. wide private, grass airstrip during short final. The pilot slipped the airplane to the left, but the right main landing gear contacted the tall wheat field that bordered the runway, and the airplane began to veer right. He added that the airplane continued to the right, and subsequently nosed over.
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right lift strut.
This accident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA311. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N5634Y.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
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.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was aligned with the right edge of the 80 ft. wide private, grass airstrip during short final. The pilot slipped the airplane to the left, but the right main landing gear contacted the tall wheat field that bordered the runway, and the airplane began to veer right. He added that the airplane continued to the right, and subsequently nosed over.
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right lift strut.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot added in the NTSB Form 6120.1 section titled "Operator/Owner Safety Recommendation" that he should have initiated an immediate go around procedure once he realized the approach was not normal.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA311