# NTSB ANC97LA149: Maule M4-210, N9804M, Bethel, AK, September 15, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 14, 1997, 17:28 local (Sep 15, 1997, 01:28 UTC) - Place: Bethel, AK - Coordinates: 60.810642, -161.849746 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.8106&lon=-161.8497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 6, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 3068 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC97LA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3068/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC97LA149 ## Probable cause The pilot's abrupt application of brakes during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - wet (contributing factor) - brakes(normal) - abrupt, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command ## Analysis The tailwheel-equipped airplane was rolling out after landing on wet pavement. The airplane was abeam Bravo taxiway and still rolling, when the tower controller requested the pilot clear the runway onto Bravo. The pilot stated that he should have continued to the next intersection, but instead quickly applied brakes to attempt to stop the airplane. The airplane ground looped to the right, and the left wing struck the ground. ## Factual narrative On September 14, 1997, at 1728 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel equipped Maule M4-210 airplane, N9804M, sustained substantial damage when it ground looped during landing at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The private certificated pilot, and the one passenger aboard were uninjured. The airplane was owned and operated by Daniel M. Picazo, of Bethel, Alaska. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, as a personal flight, and had originated from Canyon Creek strip at 1630. Instrument meteorological conditions of 800 foot broken ceilings, 1 1/2 miles visibility in light rain, prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane had been issued a Special VFR clearance to enter the Class D airspace and land on runway 18. Winds were 190 degrees at 8 knots. Runway 18 is asphalt covered, and is 6,398 feet long by 150 feet wide. The runway was wet at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he had just landed, and was abeam taxiway Bravo when requested by the tower controller to clear the runway at Bravo. He stated that he should have continued rolling to the next intersection, but instead quickly applied brakes to stop. Directional control was lost, the airplane yawed 360 degrees to the right, and the left wing contacted the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9804M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9804M), registered now, S/N 1037, built 1965 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M4-210 - Registry model: [Maule BEE DEE M-4-210](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-bee-dee-m-4-210) (registry code 5460106) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1037 - Airframe hours: 1820 - Engines: Continental IO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Daniel M. Picazo - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 5, 1997, 32 hours before - Departed: CANYON CREEK, AK - Destination: BET - Airport: BET, Bethel, runway 18, 6,398 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 261 total, 85 in this make and model, 229 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 1.5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: BET ## 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 19970914030519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970914030519A), Sep 14, 1997: Maule M4210, Bethel, AK, Substantial damage. (.19) No narrative available. (.4) the tailwheel-equipped airplane was rolling out after landing on wet pavement. The airplane was abeam bravo taxiway and… ## Other investigations on N9804M (3) 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. - [NTSB ANC77FAA20](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC77FAA20), May 19, 1977: Maule M-4 (N9804M), Fairbanks, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC76DAG88](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76DAG88), Feb 7, 1976: Maule M-4210 (N9804M), Talkeetna, AK, substantial damage - [NTSB ANC72DAG90](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC72DAG90), Feb 11, 1972: Maule M4-210 (N9804M), Anchorage, AK, substantial damage 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.