NTSB Factual Report

On December 10, 2001, approximately 1100 Pacific standard time, a Maule M-7-235 airplane, N61385, was substantially damaged in a nose-over during landing at Halfway, Oregon, on a landing surface covered with approximately 5 inches of snow. The commercial pilot and a passenger (the passenger was the aircraft owner) were not injured in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions with calm winds were reported by the pilot, and (according to FAA accident notification information) a visual flight rules flight plan had been filed for the 14 CFR 91 flight from Boise, Idaho.

The pilot reported that prior to landing, he made two passes over the runway to determine the runway condition, and determined that there were less than 5 inches of snow. He stated that he "made a normal soft-field landing." He reported that the aircraft rolled approximately 200 feet, then nosed over, coming to rest inverted. The pilot reported on his NTSB accident report that no mechanical malfunction or failure was involved in the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

A loss of aircraft control for undetermined reasons. A factor was a snow-covered landing surface.