# NTSB CEN24LA081: Maule M-6-235, N71MS, Beaumont, TX, December 29, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 29, 2023, 14:27 local (20:27 UTC) - Place: Beaumont, TX - Coordinates: 30.070603, -94.215837 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0706&lon=-94.2158&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 193605 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN24LA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193605/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193605 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN24LA081 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop on the runway. ## 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 M-6-235, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [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-6-235, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5460160), [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-6-235, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the landing attempt with a direct left crosswind in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot reported he heard a pop, and the airplane veered to the right. The pilot attempted to make a correction to the left to maintain airplane control. The pilot felt the empennage lift and the propeller struck the runway. The right main landing gear collapsed, the right wing struck the runway, and the airplane pivoted around the left main landing gear coming to rest on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and wing struts. According to a mechanic, postaccident examination revealed fractures to the landing gear structure that were consistent with an abnormal sideload and subsequent ground loop. No other mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 34 with wind from 250° at 12 knots and gusting to 16 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71MS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71MS), registered now, S/N 7452C, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-6-235 - Registry model: [Maule M-6-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (registry code 5460160) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7452C - Year built: 1984 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 300 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 - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: BPT, Jack Brooks Rgnl, runway 16/34, 5,071 × 150 ft, concrete - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,210 total, 170 in this make and model, 260 in the last 90 days, 80 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 12 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.16 inHg - Observed at: BMT - METAR: SA 29/12/2023 20:35-> METAR KBMT 292035Z AUTO 25012G16KT 10SM CLR 13/M03 A3016 RMK AO2 T01261026 ## 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 20231229017819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231229017819A), Dec 29, 2023: Maule M-6-235, Beaumont, TX, Substantial damage. During roll-out after normal stabilized landing both pilot and passenger heard a pop or thud. With the application of brakes, the airplane spun around to the… ## Other investigations on N71MS (1) 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 FTW84LA200](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA200), Apr 11, 1984: Maule M-6-235 (N71MS), New Orleans, LA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 29, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193605. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16680614&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Pilot%201_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Mechanic record of conversation and statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 83 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16681171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Mechanic%20Information-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 898 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16680891&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.