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Atlas / NTSB / WPR13CA403

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event WPR13CA403

2013-09-08 Nashua, Montana, United States None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

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 ↗.