# NTSB GAA18CA006: Maule M 7, N81818, Manokatak, AK, October 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 7, 2017, 14:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Manokatak, AK - Coordinates: 58.830001, -159.531951 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=58.8300&lon=-159.5320&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96163 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96163/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96163 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA006 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions. ## 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-7-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5470208), [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-7-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maule M-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a beach, a wind gust pushed the airplane down, and he was unable to arrest the descent. Subsequently, the right wing impacted the beach first, then the left wing, the left landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 40° at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots, and visibility was 10 miles. It is unknown from which direction the airplane was departing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during takeoff from a beach, a gust of wind pushed the airplane down, and he was unable to arrest the decent. Subsequently the right wing impacted the beach first, then the left wing, the left landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot the weather about the time of the accident was wind from 40° at 10 knots, wind gusts at 18 knots, and visibility of 10 miles. Its unknown which direction the airplane was departing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81818](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81818-2019-04-16), registration cancelled 2019-04-16, S/N 4047C, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M 7 (235) - Registry model: [Maule M-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235) (registry code 5470208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4047C - Year built: 1987 - Airframe hours: 3434 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-33A5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, September 4, 2017 - Departed: DLG, DILLINGHAM, AK - Destination: Manokatak, AK - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 5, 2017; seat: left; flight hours: 8,450 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 75 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 11 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,700 ft broken - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.70 inHg - Observed at: PAMB, 18 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 20171007014389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171007014389A), Oct 7, 2017: Maule M-7-235, Manokotak, AK, Substantial damage. During take off, immediately after wheels breaking ground, a down draft forced the plane back to the beach where it also touched right wing tip to ground.… ## Other investigations on N81818 (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 FTW92LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA052), Dec 31, 1991: Maule M-7-235 (N81818), Cottonport, LA, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96163. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 940 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461356&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461357&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-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.