Probable cause
The failure of the fuselage's tube structure due to corrosion during a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
The pilot with one passenger on-board the airplane was practicing landings to familiarize the passenger with the airplane. During one of the landings, the airplane landed "firm." After noticing added noise in the cabin and the "seats being jarred” they taxied back to the hangar. The pilot reported that a fuselage tube had failed due to a "pre-existing weakened condition." The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector who examined the airplane reported that the fuselage tube displayed evidence of corrosion.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA521 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 25, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Abernathy, Texas
- Nearest airport
- Abernathy Airport (F83)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Maule M-4-220C
- N-number
- N11EN
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.