# NTSB DEN03LA080: Maule MX-7-235, N44UG, Watkins, CO, April 14, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 13, 2003, 18:30 local (Apr 14, 2003, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Watkins, CO - Coordinates: 39.785278, -104.543052 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7853&lon=-104.5431&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 56973 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN03LA080 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56973/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA080 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the landing roll out. Contributing factors were the unlocked tailwheel. ## Analysis The pilot wanted to practice crosswind landings. He made a normal crosswind approach and landing on runway 17. The wind at Denver International Airport, located 10 miles to the northwest, was from 110 degrees at 12 knots. Upon touchdown, the pilot held full left aileron and full aft elevator and maintained directional control with the rudder. As the airplane rolled out, it began drifting to the right, so the pilot reduced right rudder input. The nose "swung left quickly" into the wind and the pilot applied full right rudder. The airplane ground looped to the left causing substantial damage to the airplane's wings and propeller. The pilot said he suspected that the tail wheel was or had become unlocked. Using the pilot's wind estimate and the recorded wind at Denver International Airport, the computed crosswind component was approximately 7 and 10 knots, respectively. According to the Maule Aircraft Company, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the MX-7-235 is 14 knots. ## Factual narrative On April 13, 2003, approximately 1830 mountain daylight time, a Maule MX-7-235, N44UG, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at Front Range Airport, Watkins, Colorado. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant aboard, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Everitt Airpark, Parker, Colorado, approximately 1800. According to the pilot's accident report, he wanted to practice crosswind landings. The wind was light at Everitt Airpark, but the AWOS at Front Range Airport reported the wind to be from 140 degrees at 13 knots. He decided to fly to Front Range for crosswind landing practice. The flight to Front Range Airport had been uneventful. He made a normal crosswind approach and landing on runway 17. The wind at Denver International Airport, located 10 miles to the northwest, was from 110 degrees at 12 knots. Upon touchdown, the pilot held full left aileron and full aft elevator and maintained directional control with the rudder. As the airplane rolled out, it began drifting to the right, so the pilot reduced right rudder input. The nose "swung left quickly" into the wind and the pilot applied full right rudder. The airplane ground looped to the left, tearing off the right main landing gear. The pilot said he suspected that the tail wheel was or had become unlocked. According to an FAA inspector, the right wing tip was scraped, the propeller was bent, and both wings were "rippled." The Wind Component chart was consulted. Using the pilot's wind estimated and the recorded wind at Denver International Airport, the computed crosswind component was approximately 7 knots and 10 knots, respectively. According to a Maule Aircraft Company spokesman, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component for the MX-7-235 is 14 knots. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - landing gear,tailwheel - unlocked (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind - ground loop/swerve - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Aircraft - Registration: [N44UG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N44UG), registered now, S/N 10088C, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule MX-7-235 - Registry model: [Maule MX-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-235) (registry code 5470207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10088C - Airframe hours: 1045 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 13, 2002, 39 hours before - Departed: 1CO8, Parker, CO - Destination: FTG, Watkins, CO - Airport: FTG, Front Range, runway 17, 8,000 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 17, 2001; seat: right; flight hours: 510 total, 42 in this make and model, 421 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 14 °F - Altimeter: 29.82 inHg - Observed at: DEN ## 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 20030413008119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030413008119A), Apr 13, 2003: Maule MX7235, Denver, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC ground looped his aircraft while practicing crosswind landings in a tail wheel aircraft. Pilot stated he was practicing crosswind landings, and the… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; 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.