# NTSB MKC90LA059: Maule M-6-235, N644SL, El Dorado, AR, March 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 3, 1990, 16:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: El Dorado, AR
- Coordinates: 33.210899, -92.659919 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2109&lon=-92.6599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34936
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC90LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34936/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC90LA059

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE. A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  THE CROSSWIND.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING THE TAILWHEEL ACFT IN A RIGHT CROSSWIND, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON THE ROLL-OUT AND THE AIRCRAFT SPUN AROUND. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED, THE LEFT WING TIP WAS DAMAGED AND THE PROPELLER WAS BENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N644SL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N644SL), registered now, S/N 7464C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-6-235
- Registry model: [Maule M-6-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (registry code 5460160) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7464C
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Humphreys, Frank E.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: ELD
- Airport: ELD, El Dorado, runway 22, 6,599 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,750 total, 234 in this make and model, 2,750 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 330° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: ELD, 1 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 19900303004189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900303004189A), Mar 3, 1990: Maule M6235, El Dorado, AR, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing in a crosswind and ground looped the tail wheel type aircraft.

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.

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