# NTSB CHI97LA258: Maule M-4-220C, N40354, Bemidgi, MN, August 1, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 1, 1997, 10:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Bemidgi, MN - Coordinates: 47.480834, -94.870811 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4808&lon=-94.8708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 30, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10670 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI97LA258 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10670/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA258 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure or inability to maintain directional control of the airplane, as a result of an undetermined anomaly concerning of the right main landing gear brake. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - undetermined (cause) - directional control - not possible, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that the approach and landing were normal. After a ground roll of 100 to 175 feet, the airplane veered to the right. It continued half way off the right side of the runway before coming to a stop. According to the pilot, a skid mark was visible on the runway. Postaccident inspection of the airplane after notification of the accident (14 days later) failed to reveal any failure/malfunction. ## Factual narrative On August 1, 1997, at approximately 1000 central daylight time (cdt), a Maule M-4-220C, N40354, operated by a private pilot collided with the terrain following a loss of control while landing on runway 25 (5,699' x 150') at the Beltrami County Airport, Bemidji, Minnesota. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The flight originated from New Richmond, Wisconsin, at 0800 central daylight time. The pilot reported that everything was normal as he entered the traffic pattern and set up to land. He continued to report, "Flared at correct position, cut throttle glided down runway 25 touchdown normal." The pilot reported that after a ground roll of 100 to 175 feet the airplane "veered to right instantly & ended up on left wingtip with left gear collapsed 1/2 in grass on right side of 25." The pilot reported that he had not used the brakes during the landing roll; however, skid marks from the right main landing gear were visible on the runway. The accident was not reported to the National Transportation Safety Board until August 14, 1997. Inspection of the brakes failed to reveal any failure/malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40354](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40354), registered now, S/N 2132C, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-4-220C - Registry model: [Maule M-4-220C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-220c) (registry code 5460114) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2132C - Airframe hours: 1016 - Engines: Franklin 6H-350-C1 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gordon R. Behling - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1997, 6 hours before - Departed: RNH, NEW RICHMOND, WI - Destination: BJI - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: BJI, Beltrami County, runway 25, 5,699 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 479 total, 434 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °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 19970801028309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970801028309A), Aug 1, 1997: Maule M4220, Bemidji, MN, Substantial damage. Swerved on landing roll. Tipped up on left wing. Collapsed left main gear. (-23) landing on runway 25 bji normal pattern. Good approach and touchdown rolling… ## Other investigations on N40354 (2) 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 NYC87LA182](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA182), Jun 20, 1987: Maule M-4 (N40354), Wellsville, NY, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN74DTE72](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74DTE72), May 19, 1974: Maule M4 (N40354), Boulder, CO, substantial damage 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.