# NTSB LAX08CA081: Maule M-8-235, N205MX, Grangeville, ID, March 22, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 22, 2008, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Grangeville, ID - Coordinates: 45.942501, -116.123336 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.9425&lon=-116.1233&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 67708 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA081 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67708/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA081 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop/swerve. A contributing factor was the pilot's lack of recent experience. ## 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-8-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5470211), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: recent experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-8-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045/cases.md?model=5470211), [All aircraft, 31 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031045/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-8-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=5470211), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified; cases with it: [Maule M-8-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md?model=5470211), [All aircraft, 267 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-8-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5470211), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule M-8-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5470211), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane on runway 25 with no wind. His first approach was fast, the airplane bounced on touchdown, and he executed a go-around. On his second approach, the airplane drifted left and touched down left of the runway center line and bounced. Upon its second touchdown, the airplane swerved, and although the pilot attempted to regain control, it departed the left side of the runway and encountered a ditch. The pilot stated that "while current [he] did not have enough recent practice and should have refused PIC [pilot-in-command]." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was landing the tail wheel equipped airplane on runway 25 with no wind. His first approach was fast, the airplane bounced on touchdown, and he executed a go-around. On his second approach, the airplane drifted left and touched down left of the runway center line and bounced. Upon its second touchdown, the airplane swerved, and although the pilot attempted to regain control, it departed the left side of the runway and encountered a ditch. The pilot stated that "while current [he] did not have enough recent practice and should have refused PIC [pilot-in-command]." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N205MX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N205MX), registered now, S/N 15006C, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-8-235 - Registry model: [Maule M-8-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-8-235) (registry code 5470211) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-B4B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-b4b5) (registry code 42340, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 15006C - Engines: Lycoming O-540 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: S73, Kamiah, ID - Destination: S80, Grangeville, ID - Airport: S80, Idaho County Airport, runway 25, 5,100 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 212 total, 12 in this make and model, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F ## 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 20080322012579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080322012579A), Mar 22, 2008: Maule M8235, Grangeville, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot-in-command (PIC) made initial landing on runway 25 at S80, bounced on touchdown and executed a go-around. During the second attempt for landing and… ## Other investigations on N205MX (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 ERA25LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA013), Oct 12, 2024: Maule M8 (N205MX), Rowlesburg, WV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing. 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.