# NTSB GAA18CA569: Maule M7, N760AC, Grass Valley, OR, September 16, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 15, 2018, 18:00 local (Sep 16, 2018, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Grass Valley, OR - Coordinates: 45.45, -120.863609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4500&lon=-120.8636&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 18, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98360 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA569 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98360/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98360 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA569 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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-7-260C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5470112), [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-7-260C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5470112), [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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the second approach to the unimproved canyon airstrip in moderate turbulence, he felt that the groundspeed was faster than normal and that he there was a tailwind, but he reduced power to idle and landed the airplane. About 300 ft into the ground roll, at 35 mph, the airplane veered left. He applied right rudder and moderate braking, but the airplane exited the airstrip to the left, and its left main landing gear struck a pile of rocks that were painted white and used to mark the edge of the runway. The left main landing gear separated from the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, and left aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation system about 16 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 13 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The pilot was landing to the south. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the second approach to the unimproved canyon airstrip in moderate turbulence he felt that the groundspeed was faster than normal and that he had a tailwind, but he reduced power to idle, and landed. About 300 ft into the ground roll, at 35 mph, the airplane veered left. He applied right rudder and moderate braking, but the airplane exited the airstrip to the left. The airplane's left main landing gear struck a pile of rocks that were painted white and used to mark the edge of the runway. The left main landing gear separated from the airplane. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, and left aileron. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation system about 16 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 13 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The pilot was landing to the south. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N760AC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N760AC-2022-03-05), registration cancelled 2022-03-05, S/N 30052C, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M7 (260C) - Registry model: [Maule M-7-260C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-260c) (registry code 5470112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-V4A5D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-v4a5d) (registry code 41807, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30052C - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 969 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 27, 2018 - Departed: 4S2, Hood River, OR - Destination: Grass Valley, OR - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 45; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 10, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 1,315 total, 1,120 in this make and model, 1,315 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: KDLS, 16 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 20180915016319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180915016319A), Sep 15, 2018: Maule M-7-260C, Grass Valley, OR, Substantial damage. Flight originated from hood river (4S2) at approximately 1730 LCL, en route to a private Airstrip in Grass Valley, OR. Upon landing, during touch down and roll… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 12, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98360. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 924 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Picture (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40469313&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Picture-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.