Loss of Control in Flight · NTSB CEN11LA086
MAULE M-5-180C — Emory, TX
| Date | November 30, 2010 |
| Location | Emory, TX |
| Aircraft | MAULE M-5-180C |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Day · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 80 |
| Pilot total time | 1,300 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | Unknown |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Airspeed-Not attained/maintained - C
- Personnel issues-Experience/knowledge-Experience/qualifications-Total experience w/ equipment-Pilot - F
- Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Incorrect action performance-Pilot - C
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-High wind-Contributed to outcome - F
- Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Contributed to outcome - F
What happened
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.