# NTSB CEN14CA503: Maule MT 7-260, N719WM, Largo Vista, TX, September 12, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 12, 2014, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Largo Vista, TX
- Coordinates: 30.454444, -97.988609
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.4544&lon=-97.9886&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 13, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 90101
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA503
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90101/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90101
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA503

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting wind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in the nose landing gear impacting the runway and the subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MT-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460184), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MT-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5460184), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MT-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=5460184), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)
- [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maule MT-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=5460184), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Maule MT-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5460184), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MT-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5460184), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Maule MT-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=5460184), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Prior to departure, the pilot noted the wind from the right at 8-16 knots and gusting 16-21 knots. He added that just after the airplane got airborne, there was a downdraft, and the airplane bounced three times. The airplane then made three larger bounces, before the nose landing gear collapsed and the propeller contacted the runway. The airplane exited the runway and came to rest in the grass. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

Prior to departure, the pilot noted the wind from the right at 8-16 knots and gusting 16-21 knots. He added that just after the airplane got airborne, there was a downdraft, and the airplane bounced three times. The airplane then made three larger bounces, before the nose landing gear collapsed and the propeller contacted the runway. The airplane exited the runway and came to rest in the grass. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N719WM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N719WM), registered now, S/N 27012C, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MT 7-260
- Registry model: [Maule MT-7-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mt-7-260) (registry code 5460184) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-V4A5D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-v4a5d) (registry code 41807, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 27012C
- Year built: 2006
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-V4A5D reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 2013, 334 hours before
- Departed: KRYW, Largo Vista, TX
- Destination: KRYW, Largo Vista, TX
- Airport: KRYW, Lago Vista Rusty Allen, runway 33, 3,808 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 28, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,730 total, 209 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 14 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20140912024429I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140912024429I), Sep 12, 2014: Maule MT-7-260, Lago Vista, TX, Minor damage. The pilot and only occupant of Maule aircraft, N719WM, attempted to take off at the Lago Vista airport, with north east winds eight mph gusting to 16MPH. After…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 10, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90101. 684 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 684 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40418794&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.

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