# NTSB NYC06CA141: Maule M-5-180C, N5640S, Mount Pocono, PA, May 29, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 29, 2006, 08:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Mount Pocono, PA
- Coordinates: 41.233333, -75.616668
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2333&lon=-75.6167&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 3, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 63853
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/63853/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA141

## Probable cause

The disconnected tailwheel compression spring, which resulted in a loss of directional control.

## 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 possible, pilot in command
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - disconnected (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The Maule M-5-180C airplane touched down on the main landing gear, and then the tailwheel touched down shortly thereafter.  The pilot then experienced a "very strong pull to the left," and attempted to correct with aileron and rudder.  The airplane departed the runway to the left, struck the wing, and came to rest upright.  Examination of the tailwheel revealed that the retention clip for the right compression spring was missing, and the spring had disconnected from the swing arm.  The retention clip was not recovered.

## Factual narrative

The Maule M-5-180C airplane touched down on the main landing gear, and then the tailwheel touched down shortly thereafter.  The pilot then experienced a "very strong pull to the left," and attempted to correct with aileron and rudder.  The airplane departed the runway to the left, struck the wing, and came to rest upright.  Examination of the tailwheel revealed that the retention clip for the right compression spring was missing, and the spring had disconnected from the swing arm.  The retention clip was not recovered.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5640S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5640S-2012-07-05), registration cancelled 2012-07-05, S/N 8009C, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule M-5-180C
- Registry model: [Maule M-5-180C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-180c) (registry code 5460204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 8009C
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Air Wings, LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 50PA, STROUDSBURG, PA
- Destination: MPO, Mount Pocono, PA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 223 total, 36 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20060529008689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060529008689A), May 29, 2006: Maule M5180C, Mount Pocono, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) While landing the aircraft on runway 23 at the mt. Pocono airport (mpo) in mt. Pocono, PA, the aircraft veered to the left when the tail wheel contacted…

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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