Maule M-5 accident near Levant, Maine, December 21, 1996
On December 21, 1996 at about 4:00 pm local time, a Maule M-5, registered N56391, was substantially damaged in an accident near Levant, Maine (Griffin Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain clearance from tree(s) during an attempted go-around. The crosswind and proximity of tree(s) were related factors.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 21, 1996 · about 4:00 pm local time
- Place
- Levant, Maine · Griffin Field
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-5 · all M-5s on the register
- Registration
- N56391 · registry record · serial 7331C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot/owner departed from his private airstrip and flew a local flight. When he returned to land at his airstrip, he encountered a left crosswind, while landing to the north, and the airplane drifted right of the runway. The pilot then attempted a go-around, and the airplane struck trees. The pilot stated that he did not encounter any malfunctions of the airplane. Examination of the airplane revealed no preimpact failure of the airframe or engine. An airport 10 miles from the accident site reported the winds to be from 290 degrees at 16 knots.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 532 hours in all; 250 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 532 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 330 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 30, 1996; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: ME35 at 3:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 3, 2,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from BGR, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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.