MAULE M-5-235C
Dixie, ID — June 25, 2009
Event Information
| Date | June 25, 2009 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | WPR09CA311 |
| Event ID | 20090625X51425 |
| Location | Dixie, ID |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 45.39667, -115.48333 |
| Airport | Wilson Bar USFS |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | MAULE |
| Model | M-5-235C |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 2 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed while landing.
Full Narrative
The pilot and his passenger had been traveling across the country visiting backcountry airstrips. They had spent two nights at a backcountry airstrip and decided to go on a day flight to one of the other airstrips in the area that was 1,500 feet in length by 50 feet wide. After surveying the landing area, the pilot stated that as he neared the approach end of the runway, he was approximately 20 feet above ground level when the airplane dropped straight down. The pilot indicated that his airspeed was slow and that he most likely encountered a downdraft. This resulted in the airplane landing hard on the runway surface and the airplane porpoised, prior to impacting rising terrain and trees. There were no mechanical malfunctions reported.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.