# NTSB ERA20CA098: Maule M7, N309MA, Manchester, NH, February 2, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 2, 2020, 12:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Manchester, NH - Coordinates: 42.932777, -71.435836 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9328&lon=-71.4358&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA / FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 100917 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100917/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100917 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA098 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a bounced landing, and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground-loop. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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-7-260, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during a crosswind landing, the airplane bounced and veered left. The right wing struck the runway, and the airplane then ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during a crosswind landing, the airplane bounced and veered to the left. The right wing struck the surface and the airplane ground looped to the left. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 300° at 8 knots. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 35. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N309MA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N309MA), registered now, S/N 26002C, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M7 (260) - Registry model: [Maule M-7-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-260) (registry code 5460111) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26002C - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 1618.9 - Engines: Lycoming I0-540-V4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 19, 2019 - Departed: MHT, Manchester, NH - Destination: MHT, Manchester, NH - Airport: MHT, Manchester, runway 35, 9,250 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 21, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 13,700 total, 91 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.45 inHg - Observed at: KMHT ## 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 20200202018049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200202018049A), Feb 2, 2020: Maule M-7-260, Manchester, NH, Substantial damage. Airman was practicing landings on runway 35 at kmht in conventional wheel aircraft and was cleared stop and go. Winds reported as 300 at 5 knots. Airman… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 25, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100917. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 841 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481580&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481581&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Damage Photo (item 3, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40481582&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Photo-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.