# NTSB ANC09CA044: Maule M-4-220C, N2031U, Nenana, AK, May 17, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 16, 2009, 16:40 local (May 17, 2009, 00:40 UTC) - Place: Nenana, AK - Coordinates: 64.541664, -149.071105 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=64.5417&lon=-149.0711&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73855 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA044 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73855/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73855 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA044 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, resulting in a ground loop and substantial damage to the airplane. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified; cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The solo private pilot reported he was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a dry hard-surfaced runway, at the completion of a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. He said that during touchdown the airplane bounced slightly and he added engine power to cushion the landing. As the airplane touched down again, a gust of wind pushed the airplane's tail to the left, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The airplane’s left main landing gear leg collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted in his report to the NTSB that the airplane had recently been converted from skis to wheels. He said that he should have flown with a flight instructor before attempting a flight in a wheel-equipped airplane, or selected a grass or gravel landing site. ## Factual narrative The solo private pilot reported he was landing a tailwheel-equipped airplane on a dry hard-surfaced runway, at the completion of a Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. He said that during touchdown the airplane bounced slightly and he added engine power to cushion the landing. As the airplane touched down again, a gust of wind pushed the airplane's tail to the left, and the airplane ground looped to the right. The airplane’s left main landing gear leg collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The pilot said there were no preaccident mechanical problems with the airplane, and noted in his report to the NTSB that the airplane had recently been converted from skis to wheels. He said that he should have flown with a flight instructor before attempting a flight in a wheel-equipped airplane, or selected a grass or gravel landing site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2031U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2031U-2018-03-20), registration cancelled 2018-03-20, S/N 2019C, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-4-220C - Registry model: [Maule M-4-220C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-220c) (registry code 5460114) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2019C - Airframe hours: 2022 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6V 350 SERIES 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thomas Payer - Registered owner: Swingle Scott - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 2009, 144 hours before - Departed: AK28, Fairbanks, AK - Destination: ENN, Nenana, AK - Airport: ENN, Nenana Municipal Airport, runway 04L, 4,600 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 111 total, 7 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: ENN ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20090516047039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090516047039A), May 16, 2009: Maule M-4-220C, Nenana, AK, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that while landing on runway 4L he ground looped the aircraft causing damage to the propeller, the left gear, and the left wing tip. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 7, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73855. 674 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 674 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.