Probable cause
The pilot's selection of unsuitable terrain for landing, which resulted in a nose over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he landed in a field that had numerous gopher holes and mounds. During the landing roll, the main landing gear encountered a soft spot in the terrain and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing strut, rudder, and horizontal stabilizer.
The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16CA015 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 15, 2015
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Grace, Idaho
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Maule M 7-260C
- N-number
- N288BC
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2012
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
Other records under this N-number
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.