# NTSB NYC03LA159: Maule M-4-220C, N2030U, Taunton, MA, June 28, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 28, 2003, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: Taunton, MA - Coordinates: 41.874168, -71.016387 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8742&lon=-71.0164&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 28, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Boston FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57470 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA159 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57470/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA159 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing and the CFI's delayed remedial action. ## 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) - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - grass ## Analysis As the tail-wheeled equipped airplane touched down, with the commercial pilot at the controls, it began to drift left of centerline. The certified flight instructor (CFI) instructed the commercial pilot to use right aileron to correct the situation, which the commercial pilot responded, "I've got it; I've got it; I've got it." The airplane departed the left side of the runway, and onto the grass. The CFI "stepped firmly" on the right rudder in an effort to straighten the airplane; however, the momentum was still pulling the airplane to the left. Without the CFI's instruction, the commercial pilot added full power, followed immediately by a reduction of power by the CFI. The airplane continued to the left, and the commercial pilot added about one-quarter to one-half power from where the CFI had set it. The airplane then rolled over, and came to rest in a ditch. The commercial pilot added that the accident could have been prevented by "earlier recovery, more experience by pilot and instructor." ## Factual narrative On June 28, 2003, at 1100 eastern daylight time, a Maule M-4-220C, N2030U, was substantially damaged while landing at the Taunton Municipal Airport (TAN), Taunton, Massachusetts. The certificated flight instructor (CFI), certificated commercial pilot, and one passenger, were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the flight, which originated from the Barnstable Municipal-Boardman/Polando Field (HYA), Hyannis, Massachusetts. The instructional flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the CFI, the commercial pilot was at the controls of the tail-wheeled airplane during the accident flight. As the airplane touched down on runway 30, a 3,500-foot long, 75-foot wide, asphalt runway, it began to drift left of centerline. The CFI instructed the commercial pilot to use right aileron to correct the situation, which the commercial pilot responded, "I've got it; I've got it; I've got it." The airplane departed the left side of the runway, and onto the grass. The left wheel then began to slow, pulling the airplane to the left, and dipping the left wing. The CFI "stepped firmly" on the right rudder in an effort to straighten the airplane; however, the momentum was still pulling the airplane to the left. Without the CFI's instruction, the commercial pilot added full power, followed immediately by a reduction of power by the CFI. The airplane continued to the left, and the commercial pilot added about one-quarter to one-half power from where the CFI had set it. The airplane then rolled over, and came to rest in a ditch. The commercial pilot added that the accident could have been prevented by "earlier recovery, more experience by pilot and instructor." The winds recorded at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from variable at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2030U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2030U), registered now, S/N 2026C, built 1969 (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: 2026C - Airframe hours: 3171 - Engines: Franklin 6A350-C1R 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: James Melville - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2003, 25 hours before - Departed: HYA, Hyannis, MA - Destination: TAN, Taunton, MA - Airport: TAN, Taunton Municipal Airport, runway 30, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 25; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review September 3, 2003; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,600 total, 25 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 3, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 5,300 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TAN ## 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 20030628018089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030628018089A), Jun 28, 2003: Maule M4220C, Taunton, MA, Substantial damage. (-23) On 6/28/03 N2030U departed r/w 30 at Taunton muni. (Tan) ma. While landing. This resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft. Mr. James h. melville… 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.