# NTSB ERA12CA134: Maule M-5-180C, N171GS, River Ranch, FL, January 2, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 2, 2012, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: River Ranch, FL - Coordinates: 27.900831, -81.580116 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9008&lon=-81.5801&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 7, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82603 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82603/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82603 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA134 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control after encountering a wind gust during landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-180C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=5460204), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-5-180C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460204), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Maule M-5-180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5460204), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-5-180C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460204), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Maule M-5-180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5460204), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule M-5-180C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460204), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the flight was conducted in visual flight rule conditions, and when he arrived at the destination airport he noted no airplanes in the area. He said that he heard no radio communications to indicate the appropriate landing direction, saw no signs of wind direction as he approached the airport, and the airport’s wind sock did not indicate a wind or direction. The pilot elected to land on runway 16. When the airplane touched down, an unexpected wind gust pushed the airplane right of the runway center line. The pilot tried to straighten the airplane; however, the left wing tip and the left horizontal stabilizer tip contacted the ground, sustaining substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the flight was conducted in visual flight rule conditions, with clear weather. Upon his arrival at the intended airport he noted no aircraft in the area, no radio communications to indicate the appropriate landing direction, and no signs of wind direction observable as he approached the airport. The wind sock at the airport did not indicate a wind or direction. The pilot elected to land on runway 16. As the airplane touched down, an unexpected left to right wind gust pushed the airplane off the center line to the right. He applied left brake in an attempt to straighten the airplane; however, the left wing tip and the left horizontal stabilizer tip made contact with the ground before the airplane departed the right side of the runway. It came to a stop with its nose on the ground, damaging the propeller. The left wing and left horizontal stabilizer were substantially damaged. The pilot stated there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N171GS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N171GS), registered now, S/N 8014C, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-180C - Registry model: [Maule M-5-180C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-180c) (registry code 5460204) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 8014C - Airframe hours: 1535 - Engines: LYCOMING O&VO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 17, 2011 - Departed: X58, Indiantown, FL - Destination: 2RR, River Ranch, FL - Airport: 2RR, River Ranch, runway 16, 4,950 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 27, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 1,018 total, 488 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.14 inHg - Observed at: KBOW, 32 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 20120102000269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120102000269A), Jan 2, 2012: Maule M-5-180C, River Ranch, FL, Substantial damage. On Monday, 2 jan 2012, at approximately 1300 EST, N171GS, a Maule M5 + stol mod, experienced a loss of control and subsequent ground loop upon rollout from a… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82603. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 474 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362143&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Miscellaneous: METERS from the Nearest Weather Station. (item 2, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362144&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%3A%20METERS%20from%20the%20Nearest%20Weather%20Station.-Master.PDF - Photo 1) View of the Airplane off the Right Side of the Runway and Skid Marks Showing the Departure Travel. Photo Provide by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 3, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362147&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201)%20View%20of%20the%20Airplane%20off%20the%20Right%20Side%20of%20the%20Runway%20and%20Skid%20Marks%20Showing%20the%20Departure%20Travel.%20Photo%20Provide%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.PDF - Photo 2) View of the Airplane and the Damage to the Left, Wing and Horizontal, Tips. Photo Provided by the Federal Aviation Administration. (item 4, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202)%20View%20of%20the%20Airplane%20and%20the%20Damage%20to%20the%20Left,%20Wing%20and%20Horizontal,%20Tips.%20Photo%20Provided%20by%20the%20Federal%20Aviation%20Administration.-Master.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.