Maule M-5-180C accident near Price, Utah, February 8, 2021
On February 8, 2021 at about 3:30 pm local time, a 1979 Maule M-5-180C, registered N62055, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Price, Utah (Carbon County Rgnl/Buck Davis airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 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 during the takeoff roll, which resulted in a ground loop, runway excursion and collision with terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- February 8, 2021 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Price, Utah · Carbon County Rgnl/Buck Davis · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-5-180C, built 1979 · all M-5-180Cs on the register
- Registration
- N62055 · no longer on the register · serial 8007C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the takeoff roll, he lost directional control and the airplane ground looped. The airplane exited the side of the runway where the right main landing gear separated. The right wing contacted the ground and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 706 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 48 in the last 90 days; 20 in the last 30 days; 675 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: April 16, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,561 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 8, 2021
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 890 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01/1, 8,316 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 28°F (-2°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 6:53 am from KPUC
Weather report (METAR): METAR KPUC 091353Z AUTO 32006KT 10SM OVC100 M02/M10 A2993 RMK AO1 SLP161 T10221100=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.