Maule M-4-220C accident near Driggs, Idaho, May 21, 2005
On May 21, 2005 at about 1:00 pm local time, a Maule M-4-220C, registered N40318, was substantially damaged in an accident near Driggs, Idaho (Teton Peaks/Driggs Muni/ airport). It was a flight of an unrecorded kind 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 failure to compensate for wind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop/swerve during the landing roll. A crosswind was a factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 21, 2005 · about 1:00 pm local time
- Place
- Driggs, Idaho · Teton Peaks/Driggs Muni/ · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-4-220C · all M-4-220Cs on the register
- Registration
- N40318 · no longer on the register · serial 2093C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight of an unrecorded kind · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the approach and wheel landing was normal, but shortly after touchdown the airplane encountered a "slight gust" of wind and veered left of runway centerline. The pilot stated he applied right rudder, however overcorrected and the airplane ground looped to the right. During the ground loop, the left main gear collapsed resulting in substantial damage to the wing assembly. The pilot reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 170 degrees at 5-10 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: 136 hours in all; 10 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 10 in the last 30 days; 115 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 1, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,150 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 1, 2004
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Franklin (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: U11 Rexburg ID at 12:30 pm
- Destination: U59 Driggs ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 7,300 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.
Other NTSB records under N40318 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.