# NTSB GAA18CA287: Maule M 7, N427LS, Burnet, TX, May 19, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 19, 2018, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Burnet, TX - Coordinates: 30.738889, -98.238609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.7389&lon=-98.2386&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97284 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA287 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97284/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97284 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA287 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in gusting wind conditions and with an incorrect flap configuration. ## 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-7-235C, 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) - [Wing structure: trailing edge flaps](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/cases.md?model=5460110), [All aircraft, 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035753/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-7-235C, 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) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=5460110), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maule M-7-235C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5460110), [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. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5460110), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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-flare/touchdown: 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-flare/touchdown: 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 According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he attempted a three-point landing with 48° of flaps applied in a strong, left crosswind. He reported that, after landing, the airplane lifted off again, and the left wing lifted. The pilot applied aileron and rudder inputs to counter the left crosswind, but the inputs were ineffective due to the airplane's low airspeed. He applied power to fly out of the gusting left crosswind condition, but the airplane veered right, the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane cartwheeled. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the engine mounts, both wings, and the aft fuselage. The METAR at the accident airport reported, about the time of the accident, wind from 160° at 12 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The highest wind reported during the observation period was from 190° at 31 knots. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 19. According to the manufacturer's airplane flight manual, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component was 12 knots, and the flap extension should be limited to 0°. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented if he had attempted a wheel landing with less than full flaps. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he attempted a three-point landing with 48° of flaps applied, in a strong crosswind from the left. He reported that after landing, the airplane lifted off again, and the left wing lifted. The pilot applied aileron and rudder inputs to counter the left crosswind, but he recalled that the inputs were ineffective at the airplane's low airspeed. He applied power to fly out of the gusting left crosswind condition, but the airplane veered to the right and the right wing struck the ground, and the airplane cartwheeled. The airplane sustained substantial damage to engine mounts, both wings, and the aft fuselage. The METAR at the accident airport about the time of the accident was reported as being from 160° at 12 knots and gusting to 25 knots. The highest wind reported during the observation period was from 190° at 31 knots. The pilot landed on runway 19. According to the manufacturer's airplane flight manual, the maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 12 knots and the flap extension should be limited to 0°. Per the National Transportation Safety Board, Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, in the Recommendation section, the pilot asserted that the accident could have been prevented if he had attempted a wheel landing with less than full flaps. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N427LS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N427LS-2022-04-02), registration cancelled 2022-04-02, S/N 25057C, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M 7 (235C) - Registry model: [Maule M-7-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235c) (registry code 5460110) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25057C - Year built: 2001 - Airframe hours: 990 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 26, 2017 - Departed: T82, FREDERICKSBURG, TX - Destination: BMQ, Burnet, TX - Airport: BMQ, Burnet Muni Kate Craddock Fiel, runway 19, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, ADS-B, Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 15, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,947 total, 685 in this make and model, 2,661 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 12 knots, gusting 25 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: KBMQ ## 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 20180519005619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180519005619A), May 19, 2018: Maule M-7-235C, Burnet, TX, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] (Pilot) and his wife (passenger) were traveling from gillespie county airport-(T82) fredericksburg, Texas to Municipal Kate Craddock… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 4, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97284. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467174&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 200 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40467175&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.