NTSB CAROL · Event
Event WPR13CA403
Registry · N5515V
FAA Aircraft Registry record.
Make / Model
MAULE M-7-260C
Engine
LYCOMING IO-540 SER (300 hp)
Seats / Engines
5 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20021030
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A7063D
Registrant of record
THOMPSON JOHNNY JE
Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).
Aircraft involved
Probable cause & findings
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from a berm during the takeoff, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that during takeoff from a private dirt airstrip, the airplane collided with a dirt berm and ground looped. The berm was a result of recent work in the area of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that during takeoff from a private dirt airstrip, the airplane collided with a dirt berm and ground looped. The berm was a result of recent work in the area of the airstrip. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12
NTSB Findings
Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).
- C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
- C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Monitoring environment-Pilot - C
- — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-Rough terrain-Not specified
Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file
NTSB_2013_WPR13CA403.txt.
Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb.
Full investigation docket on
data.ntsb.gov ↗.
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