Pilot Debrief

MAULE M-5-180C near Emory, TX — 2010-11-30

Final reportCEN11LA086
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Date
2010-11-30
Location
Emory, TX, USA
Airport
NONE
Aircraft
MAULE M-5-180C
Registration
N244RC
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control and failure to attain/maintain adequate airspeed during an attempted go-around after a hard bounced landing, resulting in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s recent minimal experience in airplane make/model and in operations at the grass airstrip.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s recent minimal experience in airplane make/model and in operations at the grass airstrip.

NTSB narrative

According to a witness, the airplane bounced twice during landing before power was applied, and the airplane climbed to an altitude of 100 feet. The witness observed the airplane "wobble" left and right, before it banked to the left and entered a spin. The airplane impacted the terrain in a near-vertical attitude and was destroyed in the ensuing postcrash fire. Witness reports and recorded weather observations indicated the presence of a gusty crosswind at the time of the accident. The accident occurred on the pilot's private airstrip; however, he had limited experience operating from the airstrip, and he also had limited experience in the accident airplane. According to the pilot's family, prior to recently purchasing the airplane, he had not flown for 25 years.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have chosen not to land given the strong crosswinds.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents4

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