Nose Over: Maule M-6-235, N88DK; accident occurred September 17, 2019 in Palmer, Alaska

View of damaged left-wing lift strut. 

View of nosed over airplane and damaged empennage. 

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Anchorage, Alaska

Aviation Accident Factual Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N88DK

Location: Palmer, AK
Accident Number: GAA19CA552
Date & Time: 09/17/2019, 1000 AKD
Registration: N88DK
Aircraft: Maule M 6-235
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Nose over/nose down
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal 

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, while landing off-airport on a gravel river bar, the airplane veered right, hit a rut and bounced. The pilot applied the brakes and the airplane subsequently nosed over coming to rest inverted.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift struts and empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 34, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Right
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/01/2019
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 10/09/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) , 1050 hours (Total, this make and model), 300 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 175 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Maule
Registration: N88DK
Model/Series: M 6-235 235C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1977
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 7088C
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 09/13/2019, 100 Hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1953.9 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-540-A1C5
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 250 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: PAAQ, 230 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 24 Nautical Miles
Observation Time:
Direction from Accident Site: 307°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Birchwood, AK (BCV)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination:
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1000 AKD
Type of Airspace: Class G 

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 61.355278, -148.409444 (est)