# NTSB CHI01LA132: Maule M-7-235B, N744LS, Lake City, MI, May 5, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 5, 2001, 18:32 local (22:32 UTC) - Place: Lake City, MI - Coordinates: 44.330039, -85.200065 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3300&lon=-85.2001&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 23, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 52238 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI01LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52238/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA132 ## Probable cause the improper installation of the left landing gear hydraulic line which allowed it to separate and port the hydraulic fluid. This resulted in the landing gear extending during a water landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Wheels down landing in water, landing - maintenance,installation - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause) - hydraulic system,fitting - separation (cause) - fluid,hydraulic - exhaustion (cause) - gear extension - inadvertent - Nose over, landing ## Analysis The airplane nosed over during the water landing with the wheel extended. The pilot reported that after takeoff from the lake, he was unable to lower the landing gear in preparation for a hard surface landing. He returned to the lake where he recylced the gear and performed emergency procedures to verify the gear was retracted. The pilot reported that he thought the gear was retracted prior to touchdown. He reported that as he slowed the airplane, the force of the water pulled the landing gear down and the airplane nosed over. Inspection of the airplane after the accident revealed that the hydraulic line to the left gear had separated porting the hydraulic fluid. It was determined that the hydraulic line was not properly flared at the fitting. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 2001, at 1832 eastern daylight time, N744LS, a Maule M-7-235B floatplane, operated by a private pilot, flipped over and sank while landing on Lake Missaukee, near Lake City, Michigan. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The flight originated from Lake Missaukee, at about 1815 eastern daylight time. The pilot reported that he departed Lake Missaukee en route to Cadillac, Michigan for fuel. He reported that upon lowering the gear in preparation for landing at Cadillac, he was unable to get a gear down indication. He then returned to Lake Missaukee to land. He reported that he cycled the landing gear selector and the circuit breaker four times. The pilot reported that prior to landing he pulled the circuit breakers, moved the selector to the gear up position, pumped the gear switch motor to the up position, pumped the gear hydraulic pump 15 to 20 times with positive pressure and turned the gear selector switch to off. He reported that he thought the gear was in the retracted position prior to landing. The pilot reported that upon landing as he slowed the airplane, the force of the water pulled the landing gear down and the airplane nosed over. Inspection of the airplane after the accident revealed that the hydraulic line to the left gear had separated porting the hydraulic fluid. It was determined that the hydraulic line was not properly flared at the fitting. ## Aircraft - Registration: N744LS (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Maule M-7-235B - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 23010C - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Robert A. Anton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 2000 - Departed: CAD, Cadillac, MI - Destination: Lake City, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 14, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 138 total, 29 in this make and model, 28 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 14 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 23 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: CAD, 6 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 20010505007429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20010505007429A), May 5, 2001: Maule M7235B, Lake City, MI, No damage. (-23)Pilot departed lake missaukee for the cadillac Michigan airport (cad), a distance of about 8NM for the purpose of purchasing fuel. The pilot's wife… 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.