# NTSB LAX99LA133: Maule M-4-220C, N2077U, Prescott, AZ, February 15, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 15, 1999, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC) - Place: Prescott, AZ - Coordinates: 34.620883, -112.420028 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6209&lon=-112.4200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 30, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45996 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA133 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45996/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA133 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition, which led to a loss of directional control and an inadvertent ground loop. ## 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 - weather condition - crosswind - weather condition - gusts - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - 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 - ditch ## Analysis In his statement, the private pilot said he was conducting a local flight to practice landings and take a friend for a ride. Upon returning to the airport, the pilot made a three-wheel landing and encountered a gust of wind. He initially recovered, and then encountered a second gust of wind. The aircraft ground looped off the runway and rolled into a ditch before coming to a stop. ## Factual narrative On February 15, 1999, at 1045 hours mountain standard time, a Maule M-4-220C, N2077U, ground looped, veered off the runway, and came to rest in a ditch while landing on runway 30 at the Ernest A. Love Field in Prescott, Arizona. The pilot was returning to the airport to practice landings after a local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Ernest A. Love Field at 0933 on the day of the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the Scottsdale Flight Standards District Office examined the aircraft and interviewed the pilot. In a statement to the inspector, the private pilot stated he was conducting a local flight to practice landings and take a friend for a ride. Upon returning to the airport, the pilot made a three-wheel landing and encountered a gust of wind. He initially recovered, and then encountered a second gust of wind. The aircraft ground looped off the runway and rolled into a ditch before coming to a stop. The private pilot had received a tailwheel endorsement on January 9, 1999, and a high-performance endorsement earlier in the morning just prior to the accident. He had approximately 10 hours logged in this make and model aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2077U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2077U), registered now, S/N 2070C, built 1971 (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: 2070C - Airframe hours: 2450 - Engines: Franklin 6V 350 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: William H. Jensen - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 24, 1998, 30 hours before - Departed: PRC - Airport: PRC, Ernest A. Love Field, runway 30, 4,040 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 128 total, 11 in this make and model, 68 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PRC ## 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 19990215001369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990215001369A), Feb 15, 1999: Maule M4220C, Prescott, AZ, Substantial damage. Acft ran off the side of the rwy after landing and sustained substantial damage. Other circumstances are unknown. (.19)on February 15, 1999, at 1045 hours… ## Other investigations on N2077U (2) 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 MKC74DCJ29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74DCJ29), Feb 16, 1974: Maule M4220C (N2077U), Lincoln, NE, substantial damage - [NTSB SEA72DYC16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA72DYC16), Aug 18, 1971: Maule M-4 (N2077U), Lagrande, OR, substantial damage 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.