Probable cause
The pilot's excessive braking during landing on a dry lakebed, which resulted in a nose-over.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after a three-point landing on a dry lakebed, the main landing gear "hit an unseen undulation in the landing pathway," and the airplane bounced. As the main landing gear touched down again, the pilot applied heavy braking, and the airplane nosed over.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mount, right wing, and left-wing lift strut.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA19CA507 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 22, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Anchorage, Alaska
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Maule M5
- N-number
- N9096E
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 1977
- 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.