# NTSB GAA16CA468: Maule M4, N40661, Talkeetna, AK, September 3, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 3, 2016, 14:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Talkeetna, AK - Coordinates: 62.889999, -149.171951 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.8900&lon=-149.1720&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93963 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA468 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93963/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93963 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA468 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to recognize and compensate for tailwind conditions during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway overrun and nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/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-4-210C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 9,308 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Awareness of condition; cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 1,130 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 3,656 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-4-210C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 10,154 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Maule M-4-210C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5460112), [All aircraft, 2,289 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he was landing on a backcountry airstrip. He reported that after touchdown, about two-thirds of the way down the runway during the landing roll, the wind shifted to a tailwind. He further reported that the airplane over ran the runway, impacted a hill, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot the wind was variable at 7-8 knots prior to the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Advisory Circular (AC) 91-79A. This AC discusses the hazards associated with runway overruns and the effect of a tailwind on landing distance and states in part: The pilot must be aware of airspeed during the approach and of the targeted reference landing airspeed (VREF)/airspeed, plus wind gust adjustments, over the runway threshold. An excessive approach speed may result in an excessive speed over the runway's threshold, which may result in landing beyond the intended touchdown point as well as a higher speed from which the pilot must bring the airplane to a stop. The effect of a tailwind on landing distance is significant and is a factor in determining the landing distance required. Given the airplane will land at a particular airspeed, independent of the wind, the principal effect of a tailwind on operational landing distance is the change in the ground speed at which the airplane touches down. ## Factual narrative The pilot of a tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he was landing on a backcountry airstrip. He reported that after touchdown, about two-thirds of the way down the runway during the landing roll, the wind shifted to a tailwind. He further reported that the airplane over ran the runway, impacted a hill, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot the wind was variable at 7-8 knots prior to the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration has published the Advisory Circular (AC) 91-79A. This AC discusses the hazards associated with runway overruns and the effect of a tailwind on landing distance and states in part: The pilot must be aware of airspeed during the approach and of the targeted reference landing airspeed (VREF)/airspeed, plus wind gust adjustments, over the runway threshold. An excessive approach speed may result in an excessive speed over the runway's threshold, which may result in landing beyond the intended touchdown point as well as a higher speed from which the pilot must bring the airplane to a stop. The effect of a tailwind on landing distance is significant and is a factor in determining the landing distance required. Given the airplane will land at a particular airspeed, independent of the wind, the principal effect of a tailwind on operational landing distance is the change in the ground speed at which the airplane touches down. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40661](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40661), registered now, S/N 2173C, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M4 (220C) - Registry model: [Maule M-4-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-210c) (registry code 5460112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-360-D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-d) (registry code 17149, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2173C - Year built: 1973 - Airframe hours: 1481.3 - Engines: Franklin 6A-350-C1 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Utility - Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 2016 - Departed: TKA, TALKEETNA, AK - Destination: Talkeetna, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 31, 2015; seat: left; restraint: lap only; flight hours: 1,190 total, 500 in this make and model, 970 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 30 statute miles - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: PAEC, 21 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 20160903021109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160903021109A), Sep 3, 2016: Maule M-4-220C, Talkeetna, AK, Substantial damage. I (pilot) departed patk for a remote ridge top strip 42 NM n/ne of Talkeetna. Departure time 1:17 AK time. After a bumpy and hot flight to the strip(where I… ## Other investigations on N40661 (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 ANC23LA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA048), Jul 1, 2023: Maule M-4-210C (N40661), Prospect Creek, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack on climbout, which resulted in a loss of control and impact with trees. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93963. 712 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 343 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446753&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 369 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446754&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%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.