# NTSB NYC03LA084: Maule M4, N4714T, Danielson, CT, April 12, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 2003, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Danielson, CT
- Coordinates: 41.819721, -71.900833
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8197&lon=-71.9008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 56824
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56824/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA084

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for winds, and failure to maintain directional control.  A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition.

## 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)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot was practicing landings to runway 31, a 2,700-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway.  After touchdown, the airplane experienced a wind gust and yawed to the left.  The pilot attempted to correct; however, the airplane departed the left side of the runway, and the right wing struck the ground.  The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions. The pilot reported about 1,930 hours of total flight experience, which included approximately 1,885 hours in single engine airplanes and 25 hours in the make and model of the accident airplane.  Winds reported at an airport located about 15 miles west-southwest of the accident site, were from 360 degrees at 11 knots.

## Factual narrative

On April 12, 2003, about 1630 eastern daylight time, a Maule M4, N4714T, was substantially damaged while landing at the Danielson Airport (5B3), Danielson, Connecticut.  The certificated commercial pilot and a passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the flight that originated from the Riconn Airport, Greene, Rhode Island.  The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In a written statement, the pilot said he was practicing landings to runway 31, a 2,700-foot-long, 75-foot-wide, asphalt runway.  After touchdown, the airplane experienced a wind gust and yawed to the left.  The pilot applied hard right brake; however, "it was not effective enough to bring it back."  The airplane departed the left side of the runway, and the right wing struck the ground.

The pilot did not report any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions.  He reported about 1,930 hours of total flight experience, which include approximately 1,885 hours in single engine airplanes and 25 hours in the make and model of the accident airplane.

Winds reported at an airport located about 15 miles west-southwest of 5B3, at 1552, were from 360 degrees at 11 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4714T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4714T), registered now, S/N 57, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule M4
- Registry model: [Maule M-4](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4) (registry code 5460104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 57
- Airframe hours: 537
- Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jed Homes Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 9, 2002, 15 hours before
- Departed: RI11, Greene, RI
- Destination: 5B3, Danielson, CT
- Airport: 5B3, Danielson Airport, runway 31, 2,700 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 17, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 1,931 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,931 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.51 inHg
- Observed at: IJD, 13 nm away

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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