Maule MX 7-235 accident near Port Orchard, Washington, June 20, 2014
On June 20, 2014, a Maule MX 7-235, registered N5665A, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Port Orchard, Washington (Vaughan Ranch Airfield). 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 delayed remedial action and failure to maintain directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 20, 2014
- Place
- Port Orchard, Washington · Vaughan Ranch Airfield · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule MX 7-235 235 · all MX 7-235s on the register
- Registration
- N5665A · no longer on the register · serial 10028C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that as he flew over the airstrip, winds were light in the area and the wind sock indicated 4-6 knots. He decided to land with full flaps. Immediately after touchdown the airplane collided with a rut which resulted in two bounces. The pilot added power and rudder control after the first bounce and then noticed the airplane was being pushed to the left by variable wind conditions. After the second bounce he noticed more significant wind conditions and aborted the landing by advancing full throttle. The pilot stated he " …got hit with a pretty substantial windshear…" The airplane collided with trees on the left side of the airstrip and nosed over. The fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Delayed action › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Variable wind › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot, military
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: helicopter; instructor: instrument helicopter; instrument: airplane; instrument: helicopter; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 2,072 hours in all; 58 in this make and model; 73 in the last 90 days; 45 in the last 30 days; 1,142 as pilot in command; 387 on instruments
- Last flight review: October 29, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,700 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 25, 2014; 16 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5D (piston); 986 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OKH Oak Harbor WA
- Destination: WN13 Port Orchard WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 02, 1,850 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 200° at 14 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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 N5665A 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.