# NTSB LAX05CA260: Maule M-4-220C, N2020U, Tucson, AZ, August 4, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 4, 2005, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.090167, -111.079711 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0902&lon=-111.0797&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62183 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62183/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA260 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain directional control. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The airplane ground looped during the landing ground roll. After performing a normal approach, the pilot configured the airplane for a three-point landing. The airplane touched down over the runway centerline and transitioned to a landing roll. As the pilot was about to apply brake pressure, the airplane suddenly veered right of the runway centerline, and he experienced a loss of directional control. The right main landing gear collapsed and the right wing contacted the runway surface. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 2005, about 0830 mountain standard time, a Maule M-4-220C, N2020U, ground looped during the landing roll at the Ryan Filed Airport, Tucson, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross country flight departed Blythe Airport, Blythe, California, about 0630 Pacific daylight time, with a planned destination of Tucson. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported that as he entered the proximity of Ryan Field Airport, about 20 nautical miles (nm) to the northwest, he received weather information from the airport's automated weather observing system (AWOS). It indicated weather conditions at the airport were calm wind with a density altitude greater than 4,000 feet mean sea level (msl). After executing a normal approach, the pilot configured the tail-wheel equipped airplane for a three-point landing. The airplane touched down over the runway centerline, and the pilot noticed light winds from the west. After a faster-than-normal landing roll, about 300 feet from the initial touchdown point, the airplane's ground speed began to dissipate. As the pilot was about to apply brake pressure, the airplane suddenly veered right of the runway centerline. The airplane then veered to the left, and the pilot experienced a loss of directional control. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wing contacted the runway surface. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. In addition, the pilot stated that Maule airplanes are difficult to land in tailwind conditions, and a pilot with greater experience may have been able to better control the airplane; he had a reported 60 to 70 hours of flight experience in the same make and model airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2020U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2020U), registered now, S/N 2014C, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-4-220C - Registry model: [Maule M-4-220C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-220c) (registry code 5460114) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6V 350 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v-350-series) (registry code 27043, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2014C - Engines: Franklin 6A-350-C2 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BLH, Blythe, CA - Destination: RYN, Tucson, AZ - Airport: RYN, Ryan Field Airport, runway 06L, 4,900 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 210 total, 65 in this make and model, 50 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KTUS, 11 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 20050804031439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050804031439A), Aug 4, 2005: Maule M4220C, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated that during roll out approximately 300 to 500 feet after touch down the aircraft "became difficult to control and veered sharply to the… 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.