# NTSB CEN12CA130: Maule M-7-235, N6129T, Eldorado, TX, December 28, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 28, 2011, 11:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Eldorado, TX - Coordinates: 30.862222, -100.610832 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.8622&lon=-100.6108&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 8, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82662 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82662/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82662 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA130 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and decision-making, which resulted in a loss of control during a crosswind landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Maule M-7-235A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5460107), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=5460107), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Maule M-7-235A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5460107), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460107), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the flight neared the destination airport, the pilot obtained information from the nearest weather reporting facility, located about 33 miles away, which indicated that there would be a left crosswind component of about 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots on the landing runway. On final approach, the pilot noted that the windsock appeared to be extended at a 45 degree angle to the runway. He made his final approach with the left wing down and slightly more airspeed than usual to compensate for the crosswind. After both main wheels were on the runway, the pilot felt the left wing lift, even with full left aileron and opposite rudder inputs. He also felt that the airplane's right wheel brake was "spongy." As the wing lifted, the airplane began to ground loop to the left, skidded off the runway and impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings. After the pilot exited the airplane, he noted that the windsock was fully extended perpendicular to the runway. The pilot stated that he was very experienced in crosswind landings and that he should not have relied on a distant weather facility report; rather he should have made a full pattern approach to check the windsock more closely and better assess the local wind before landing. He stated that if he had been aware of how high the crosswind actually was, he would not have landed at this airport. ## Factual narrative ***This report was modified on February 24, 2012. Please see the docket for this accident to view the original report.*** After checking the weather for the route of flight, the pilot initiated the aerial observation flight to survey pipelines in his tail wheel equipped airplane. The flight was uneventful and the pilot set up to land at his planned airport to refuel. Prior to making the approach to land, the pilot checked the nearest weather reporting facility (about 33 miles to the southwest). The facility reported the wind from 270 degrees at 15 knots, with gusts of 20 knots. The pilot made preparations for a crosswind landing on the runway bearing 350 degrees. On final approach, the pilot noted that the windsock appeared to be extended at a 45 degree angle to the runway. He made his final approach with the upwind wing down and a bit more airspeed than usual to compensate for the crosswind. After both main wheels were on the runway, the pilot felt the upwind wing lift, even with full left aileron and opposite rudder inputs. He also felt that the airplane's right wheel brake was "spongy." As the wing lifted, the airplane began to ground loop to the left and the pilot thought that it was too late to initiate a go-around. The airplane then skidded off the runway, impacting terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings. After the pilot exited the airplane, he noted that the windsock was fully extended perpendicular to the runway. After the accident, the pilot stated that he was very experienced in crosswind landings and that he should have not relied on a distant weather facility report. He stated that he should have made a full pattern approach to check the windsock more closely and better assess the local wind before landing. He stated that if he had been aware of how high the crosswind actually was, he would not have landed at this airport. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6129T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6129T), registered now, S/N 4053C, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-7-235 - Registry model: [Maule M-7-235A](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235a) (registry code 5460107) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-W1A5D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-w1a5d) (registry code 41658, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4053C - Airframe hours: 5104 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 SER 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Operator: Taf Aerial Services LLC - Registered owner: Taf Aerial Services LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2011 - Departed: HDO, Hondo, TX - Destination: 27R, Eldorado, TX - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: 27R, Eldorado Airport, runway 35, 4,300 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 4, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 5,364 total, 4,896 in this make and model, 5,186 as pilot in command, 237 in the last 90 days, 83 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F - Observed at: OZA, 33 nm away ## 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 20111228030099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20111228030099A), Dec 28, 2011: Maule M-7-235, El Dorado, TX, Substantial damage. The pilot ground looped while landing in a moderate (10-12KT) crosswind ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 19, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82662. 5.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40361413&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - February 24 2012 Revisions to Factual Report (item 2, .PDF, 46 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40363579&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=February%2024%202012%20Revisions%20to%20Factual%20Report-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.