Monroe, WA, USA
N9277E
Maule M-5-235C
During the landing rollout, a moderate right crosswind gust of 7 to 8 knots affected the airplane, causing it to drift left. The pilot applied right rudder to compensate; however, as he applied more and repeated right rudder pressure the airplane continued to drift left. The airplane went off the left side of the runway, onto a grass shoulder, then nosed over into the drainage ditch. The pilot stated that the passenger in the copilot's seat was very nervous and tense throughout the flight, and with the sudden left movement of the airplane after landing, the passenger may have tensed up, inadvertently blocked the rudder pedals with his feet.
On April 12, 2008, at 1550 Pacific daylight time, a Maule M-5-235C, N9277E, veered off the left side of the runway and nosed over after landing at Firstair Field, Monroe, Washington. The private pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot and his two passengers were not injured; the airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated at Woodland, Washington, at 1435. The pilot stated that during the landing rollout a moderate right crosswind gust of 7 to 8 knots affected the airplane, causing it to drift left. He applied right rudder to compensate, however, as he applied more and repeated right rudder pressure the airplane continued to drift left. It went off the runway, onto a grass shoulder, then nosed over into the drainage ditch. The pilot stated that the passenger in the copilot's seat was very nervous and tense throughout the flight, and with the sudden left movement of the airplane after landing, he may have tensed up and inadvertently blocked the rudder pedals with his feet. The pilot reported that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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