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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 24, 2015 · Maule M5 235C · N406X

Warrentown, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 24, 2015
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Warrentown, VA
Aircraft
Maule M5 235C (1976)
Tail Number
N406X
Operator
Richards Thomas J
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA16CA024

The private pilot stated that this was his first flight in over a year due to cataract surgery. He planned to do a few touch and go landings to regain currency before departing on a local flight. The pilot said that upon his first attempt to land, he failed to maintain clearance of a cattle-guard fence that was located at the end of the grass runway. The airplane's main landing gear snagged the cattle-guard causing the nose of the airplane to dive into the ground. The airplane then nosed over inverted and came to rest upside down, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall, both sets of wing struts, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder. The pilot said there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane and the accident was due to his lack of recent experience and ability to judge the airplane's height above the cattle-guard.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain clearance of a cattle-guard fence on landing. Contributing to the accident was his lack of recent flying experience.

Full Narrative

The private pilot stated that this was his first flight in over a year due to cataract surgery. He planned to do a few touch and go landings to regain currency before departing on a local flight. The pilot said that upon his first attempt to land, he failed to maintain clearance of a cattle-guard fence that was located at the end of the grass runway. The airplane's main landing gear snagged the cattle-guard causing the nose of the airplane to dive into the ground. The airplane then nosed over inverted and came to rest upside down, resulting in substantial damage to the firewall, both sets of wing struts, the vertical stabilizer, and the rudder. The pilot said there were no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane and the accident was due to his lack of recent experience and ability to judge the airplane's height above the cattle-guard.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:00 EDT
Nearest AirportWarrenton Air Park (0nm)
Runway4
Runway Length2215 ft
Runway Width70 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMaule M5 235C
Tail NumberN406X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorRichards Thomas J
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · 0-540 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 78 · Second Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 6000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point43 C / 41 C
Altimeter30.29 inHg
Observation Time14:35
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data