Pilot Debrief

MAULE MX-7-235 near Chickala, AR — 2023-01-26

Final reportCEN23LA096
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Date
2023-01-26
Location
Chickala, AR, USA
Airport
AR05
Aircraft
MAULE MX-7-235
Registration
N188DL
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to land on the snow-covered runway and his failure to attain/maintain aircraft control during landing rollout.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the personal flight reported that the flight was destined to his privately-owned airstrip, which was covered with approximately six inches of “very wet and dense” snow. During landing rollout, the airplane’s deceleration was typical but then decelerated faster than the pilot “could imagine.” The airplane tail rose very quickly, and the airplane then nosed over coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left and right wings, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder. The pilot reported that there was no preaccident failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot also reported that the accident could have been prevented by using a snow depth limit of four inches if its liquid water content is unknown, and if landing in similar conditions, to land with a little power to keep the tail down.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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