# NTSB GAA17CA106: Maule M7, N260BD, Palouse, WA, December 31, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 31, 2016, 11:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Palouse, WA - Coordinates: 46.884445, -117.077499 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8844&lon=-117.0775&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94559 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA106 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94559/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94559 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA106 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control on an ice- and snow-covered runway during taxi with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion. ## 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) - [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) - [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: snow/slush/ice covered surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 219 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023015/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; 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. - [Taxi: 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) - [Taxi: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Taxi: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during a "medium speed taxi" on a runway in crosswind conditions, the airplane taxied over ice and drifted to the right. The pilot further reported that he corrected to the left, reduced throttle power, and the airplane taxied onto packed snow, "regaining lateral traction." The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder, but the airplane continued to veer to the left, exited the runway, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left wing lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during a "medium speed taxi" on a runway in crosswind conditions the airplane taxied over ice and drifted to the right. The pilot further reported that he corrected to the left, reduced throttle power, and the airplane taxied onto packed snow, "regaining lateral traction". The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder, but the airplane continued to veer to the left, exited the runway, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left wing lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N260BD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N260BD), registered now, S/N 26016C, built 2005 (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: 26016C - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 828.9 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-V4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 2016 - Departed: WN26, Palouse, WA - Destination: PUW, PULLMAN/MOSCOW, WA - Airport: WN26, Schoepflin, runway 22, 2,200 × 40 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, waiver time limited special; last flight review July 8, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 317 total, 74 in this make and model, 244 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 90° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 23 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KPUW, 9 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 20161231023649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161231023649A), Dec 31, 2016: Maule M-7-260, Palouse, WA, Substantial damage. Aircraft was being back taxied to runway 4 for takeoff. Pilot encountered ice and packed snow on runway and lost control of aircraft. Aircraft hit the snow… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 1, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94559. 877 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40455958&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 618 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448950&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%20Pilot)-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.