Maule M-5-235C accident near Show Low, Arizona, July 8, 2002
On July 8, 2002 at about 2:30 am local time, a Maule M-5-235C, registered N9139E, was substantially damaged in an accident near Show Low, Arizona (Show Low Regional Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 8, 2002 · about 2:30 am local time
- Place
- Show Low, Arizona · Show Low Regional Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-5-235C · all M-5-235Cs on the register
- Registration
- N9139E · registry record · serial 7108C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane veered off the runway and nosed over while attempting to land in a crosswind. During an overflight of the runway, the pilot observed that the winds were from about 130 degrees at less than 15 knots and he elected to land on runway 21. The pilot stated the approach to runway 21 was normal, despite the crosswind conditions that he encountered. During the landing roll, the airplane suddenly veered to the right side of the runway, and he attempted to execute a go-around by adding full power. The airplane became momentarily airborne, and the right main landing gear collided with a rising embankment located on the right side of the runway. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. An FAA inspector examined the skid marks and ground scars that resulted from the accident. He said that it appeared the airplane had initially landed solely on the right main landing gear, with the nose pointing to the right, off the runway. He thought that the airplane had continued off the right side of the runway after landing in this configuration. The tail wheel had incurred too much damage for him to determine if any mechanical malfunctions had occurred prior to the accident.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,971 hours in all; 200 in this make and model
- Last flight review: August 11, 2000
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,072.6 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 19, 2002
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540J (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FFZ Mesa AZ
- Destination: SOW Show Low AZ
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 21, 3,937 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 37°F (3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 1:50 am from SOW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number LAX02LA219.