# NTSB GAA16CA141: Maule M 4, N2032U, Anchorage, AK, February 13, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 13, 2016, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC) - Place: Anchorage, AK - Coordinates: 61.213611, -149.844726 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.2136&lon=-149.8447&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 3, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 92791 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA141 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92791/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92791 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA141 ## Probable cause The inadvertent rudder input by the passenger, resulting in a runway excursion during takeoff and collision with a taxiway sign. ## 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-4-220C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: unnecessary action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Abrupt maneuver](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 346 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/270/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the airline transport pilot, during the takeoff roll the airplane briefly exited the runway to the left after the passenger inadvertently pushed the left rudder pedal. While correcting for the runway excursion, the right main landing gear struck a taxiway sign, as the pilot controlled the airplane back on to the runway. The pilot and passenger reported that they did not observe any damage from their cockpit seats, and continued the takeoff roll and departure. The pilot reported that after reaching their destination, during the touchdown roll he noticed the right main landing gear tire deflated and affirmed that "the right wheel dug in and threw up debris that damaged the right elevator." However, photographs taken at the departure airport depict a taxiway sign with blue paint and metallic particle transfer on the sign which appears to be the same blue color as the accident airplane. Further the photographs show damage to the sign consistent with the damage to the airplane's elevator. There were impact impressions on the taxiway sign's black metal frame that were consistent with the damage sustained to the right side of the airplane's elevator. The pilot reported that he used duct tape to make repairs to the airplane, took off and landed at their final destination airport without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to departure or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Factual narrative According to the airline transport pilot, during the takeoff roll the airplane briefly exited the runway to the left after the passenger inadvertently pushed the left rudder pedal. While correcting for the runway excursion, the right main landing gear struck a taxiway sign, as the pilot controlled the airplane back on to the runway. The pilot and passenger reported that they did not observe any damage from their cockpit seats, and continued the takeoff roll and departure. The pilot reported that after reaching their destination, during the touchdown roll he noticed the right main landing gear tire deflated and affirmed that "the right wheel dug in and threw up debris that damaged the right elevator." However, photographs taken at the departure airport depict a taxiway sign with blue paint and metallic particle transfer on the sign which appears to be the same blue color as the accident airplane. Further the photographs show damage to the sign consistent with the damage to the airplane's elevator. There were impact impressions on the taxiway sign's black metal frame that were consistent with the damage sustained to the right side of the airplane's elevator. The pilot reported that he used duct tape to make repairs to the airplane, took off and landed at their final destination airport without further incident. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the airplane prior to departure or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2032U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2032U), registered now, S/N 2021C, built 1969 (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) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2021C - Year built: 1969 - Airframe hours: 1567 - Engines: Franklin 6A-350-C1 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Adventure Flight LLC - Registered owner: Adventure Flight LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 2013 - Departed: PAMR, Anchorage, AK - Destination: LHD, ANCHORAGE, AK - Airport: PAMR, Merrill Field Airport, runway 25, 4,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 26, 2014; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 20,000 total, 300 in this make and model, 19,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 29.45 inHg - Observed at: PAMR ## 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 20160213007009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160213007009A), Feb 13, 2016: Maule M-4-220C, Anchorage, AK, Substantial damage. 02/13/2016 12:10 AKST Anchorage, AK (mri) Maule M-4-220C, N2032U, departed from runway 25 and struck the left hand taxiway j sign at the intersection of runway… ## Other investigations on N2032U (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 LAX73FUM18](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX73FUM18), Feb 5, 1973: Maule M-4 (N2032U), Santee, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 26, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92791. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439330&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 78 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439331&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (Courtesy of FAA and Airport Manager) (item 3, .PDF, 5 photos, 661 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40439332&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA%20and%20Airport%20Manager)-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.