# NTSB ATL86LA215: Maule M-7-235, N56616, Cumming, GA, August 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1986, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Cumming, GA
- Location: 34.2061° N, 84.1338° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cumming, GA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2061&lon=-84.1338&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA215
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA215

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in kind of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE MADE 3 ATTEMPTS TO LAND ON A SHORT NARROW RWY IN WINDY CONDITIONS. AFTER THE 1ST ATTEMPT, HE CHANGED RWYS, BASED ON THE UNICOM ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THE WIND FAVORED RWY 3. ON THE LAST APCH, THE PLT LANDED ABOUT 1/3 TO 1/2 OF THE WAY DOWN THE 1550 FT RWY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE RGT WHEEL DROPPED OFF THE PAVEMENT. AFTER GUIDING THE RGT WHEEL BACK ONTO THE HARD SURFACE, INSUFFICIENT RWY REMAINED TO STOP THE ACFT. RATHER THAN ROLL OFF THE RWY & DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, THE PLT GROUND LOOPED THE AIRPLANE WHICH RESULTED IN THE COLLAPSE OF THE RGT MAIN LANDING GEAR. REPORTEDLY, THE WIND WAS VARIABLE & GUSTY & THERE WAS LOW LEVEL TURBULENCE & WIND SHEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N56616 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-7-235
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4023C
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-W1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard Lea
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1986
- Airport: 84A, Mathis Field, runway 3, 1,550 × 20 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 930 total, 17 in this make and model, 825 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F

## 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 19860802036989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860802036989A), Aug 2, 1986: Maule M7235, Cumming, GA, Substantial damage. The pilot intentionally ground looped the aircraft after a downwind landing with touchdown half way down the runway

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.

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