Maule M-5-180C accident near River Ranch, Florida, January 2, 2012
On January 2, 2012 at about 6:00 pm local time, a Maule M-5-180C, registered N171GS, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near River Ranch, Florida (River Ranch airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control after encountering a wind gust during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 2, 2012 · about 6:00 pm local time
- Place
- River Ranch, Florida · River Ranch · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 3 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-5-180C · all M-5-180Cs on the register
- Registration
- N171GS · registry record · serial 8014C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the flight was conducted in visual flight rule conditions, and when he arrived at the destination airport he noted no airplanes in the area. He said that he heard no radio communications to indicate the appropriate landing direction, saw no signs of wind direction as he approached the airport, and the airport’s wind sock did not indicate a wind or direction. The pilot elected to land on runway 16. When the airplane touched down, an unexpected wind gust pushed the airplane right of the runway center line. The pilot tried to straighten the airplane; however, the left wing tip and the left horizontal stabilizer tip contacted the ground, sustaining substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Awareness of condition
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,018 hours in all; 488 in this make and model
- Last flight review: January 27, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,535 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 17, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O&VO-360 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: X58 Indiantown FL at 4:45 pm
- Destination: 2RR River Ranch FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 16, 4,950 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 2,500 ft
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.14 inHg
- Observation at 5:51 pm from KBOW, 32 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.