NTSB Factual Report

On June 28, 2003, approximately 1155 Pacific daylight time, a Maule M-5-235C, N8070, registered to and operated by the private pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, nosed over during the landing roll at Moses Lake Municipal Airport, Moses Lake, Washington. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The flight originated from Wenatchee, Washington, about one hour and 30 minutes prior to the accident.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that a landing was made to runway 34. After touchdown, the aircraft bounced and the pilot took corrective action to prevent another bounce. The pilot applied power and felt that a gust of wind pushed the aircraft to the right side of the runway into the soft sand. The pilot realized that he could not get full power because the carburetor heat was on. The pilot turned off the carburetor heat and reported that "the plane lost power." The pilot pulled back on the control yoke and the airplane subsequently nosed over and came to rest inverted.

The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident

The pilot reported the winds as "variable" at the time. The 1152 weather observation taken at Grant County International, Moses Lake, located five nautical miles northwest of Moses Lake Municipal Airport reported the winds from 70 degrees at eight knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

An improper flare which resulted in a bounced landing during landing. The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and soft terrain were factors which eventually led to the aircraft nosing over.