Maule MX-7-180A N1052T accident near Muskeget Island, Massachusetts

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to obtain a proper touchdown point while attempting to land on a very short and rough turf runway, which resulted in a runway overrun and collision with vegetation and terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was attempting to land on a 750-ft-long, rough turf airstrip. He added that he had not landed at that airstrip in about 3 years. The pilot rejected the first landing attempt as the airplane touched down too long. During the second approach, the airplane touched down slightly beyond the intended touchdown point. The pilot applied light braking at first, but two the airplane bounced twice after cresting two small humps in the runway. The pilot again attempted to reject the landing and added full power to clear 8-ft reeds at the end of the runway; however, the propeller contacted the reeds, and the airplane began to decelerate. As the airplane decelerated, it nosed over and came to rest inverted beyond the end of the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing and rudder. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA25LA296 for the full record.