# NTSB GAA15CA291: Maule M 7-235C, N4244L, Kemmerer, WY, September 30, 2015

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 30, 2015, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Kemmerer, WY
- Coordinates: 41.822223, -110.557502 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8222&lon=-110.5575&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 5, 2015
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA Denver FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 92096
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA291
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92096/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92096
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA291

## Probable cause

A hard landing which resulted in a loss directional control and ground loop.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [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-7-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=5460110), [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-7-235C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460110), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [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-7-235C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460110), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Training: training with equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Maule M-7-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530/cases.md?model=5460110), [All aircraft, 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031530/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maule M-7-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=5460110), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5460110), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=5460110), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460110), [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-7-235C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5460110), [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-7-235C, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460110), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that the landing was "hard and the plane bounced, I tried to get it under control, but the next time it came down it also hit hard." He reported that he tried to execute a go-around but the airplane for a third time, "came down again and ground looped." The airplane departed the runway to the left, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted terrain. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot also stated, "I should have had more training in this airplane, and I should not have landed at an airport with such a high density altitude." The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that the landing was "hard and the plane bounced, I tried to get it under control, but the next time it came down it also hit hard." He reported that he tried to execute a go-around but the airplane for a third time, "came down again and ground looped." The airplane departed the runway to the left, the right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing impacted terrain. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot also stated, "I should have had more training in this airplane, and I should not have landed at an airport with such a high density altitude." The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4244L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4244L), registered now, S/N 25079C, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M 7-235C (235C)
- Registry model: [Maule M-7-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235c) (registry code 5460110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25079C
- Year built: 2002
- Airframe hours: 444.2
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-W1A5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Gary D. Raser
- Registered owner: Gary D. Raser
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 2015
- Departed: 6K5, Sisters, OR
- Destination: EMM, Kemmerer, WY
- Airport: EMM, Kemmerer Municipal Airport, runway 16, 8,203 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: Auto-pilot, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic multifunction display, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 19, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 607 total, 14 in this make and model, 500 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 30.28 inHg
- Observed at: KEMM

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 29, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92096. 3.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433319&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 585 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40433320&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.