# NTSB DEN90LA011: Maule M-4-220C, N4550R, Sterling, CO, October 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1989, 08:35 local (14:35 UTC)
- Place: Sterling, CO
- Location: 40.6143° N, 103.2643° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at STERLING MUNI (STK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6143&lon=-103.2643&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17861
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17861/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA011

## Probable cause

THE PILOT FAILED TO CORRECT A GROUND LOOP/SWERVE DURING LANDING ROLL. A STRONG CROSSWIND WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4550R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4550R), registered now, S/N 2017C (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2017C
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350-C1 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward A. Mariska
- Departed: 2V6, YUMA, CO
- Airport: STK, Crosson Field, runway 33, 4,700 × 75 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 3,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,950 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 70° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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).

- [Accident 19891015045749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891015045749A), Oct 15, 1989: Maule M4220C, Sterling, CO, Substantial damage. Lost control ground looped landing. Slipped over. Crosswind component exceeded.

## Other investigations on N4550R (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 CEN11CA233](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA233), Mar 17, 2011: Maule M-4-220C (N4550R), Albuquerque, NM, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion.

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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