# NTSB GAA16CA019: Maule M 7-235C, N3180G, Mankato, MN, October 11, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 11, 2015, 16:48 local (21:48 UTC) - Place: Mankato, MN - Coordinates: 44.218887, -93.919441 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2189&lon=-93.9194&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92198 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA019 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92198/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92198 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA019 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the go-around, which resulted in a collision with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: 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: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5460110), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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 he was landing in gusting wind conditions, and that while on final, "the wind let off causing us to sink faster than I wanted so I added power." He reported that the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway, he attempted to correct the drift, and then he decided to execute a go-around. He reported that during the go around, he encountered a large gust of wind while in a nose high attitude, and added full right rudder and full left aileron. The right main landing gear struck the ground and was severed, and the airplane impacted the ground. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated as a safety recommendation, he should have "Come in a little faster and used 1 or 2 notches of flaps versus 3." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was landing in gusting wind conditions, and that while on final, "the wind let off causing us to sink faster than I wanted so I added power." He reported that the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway, he attempted to correct the drift, and then he decided to execute a go-around. He reported that during the go around, he encountered a large gust of wind while in a nose high attitude, and added full right rudder and full left aileron. The right main landing gear struck the ground and was severed, and the airplane impacted the ground. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated as a safety recommendation, he should have "Come in a little faster and used 1 or 2 notches of flaps versus 3." Visual meteorological conditions prevailed in the area at the time of the accident. The local automated weather observing system was reporting; wind 180 degrees at 16 knots gusting to 22 knots. The Maule M-7-235C airplane flight manual describes the normal flight operations for crosswind landings and takeoffs. This manual does not have a maximum safe crosswind velocity chart. This manual states in part; Maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 12 knots (14 miles per hour) and flap extension should be limited to 0 degrees (first notch) with such crosswind or higher. 12 knots (14 miles per hour) is the maximum demonstrated for certification of the airplane and is not considered limiting with flaps at 0 degrees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3180G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3180G), registered now, S/N 25002C (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: 25002C - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 1624.9 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-WIA5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Roger D. Rehnelt - Registered owner: Roger D. Rehnelt - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 14, 2015 - Departed: MKT, Mankato, MN - Destination: MKT, Mankato, MN - Airport: MKT, Mankato Rgnl, runway 22, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 8, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 209 total, 61 in this make and model, 209 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 16 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.39 inHg - Observed at: KMKT ## 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 20151011017189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151011017189A), Oct 11, 2015: Maule M-7-235C, Mankato, MN, Substantial damage. According to pilot's statement, he was landing on runway 22 with winds at 170 degrees. He stated that while about 25 feet above the numbers for runway 22, the… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 17, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92198. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435016&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Miscellaneous Information (item 2, .PDF, 75 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435017&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Miscellaneous%20Information-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 415 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435018&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.