# NTSB NYC87LA182: Maule M-4, N40354, Wellsville, NY, June 20, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 20, 1987, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Wellsville, NY
- Coordinates: 42.120727, -77.939369 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1207&lon=-77.9394&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30679
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30679/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA182

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - disconnected (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload
  - landing gear,main gear - failure,total (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE FLIGHT EXPERIENCED A VIOLENT SHIMMY UPON T/D AND THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT MADE A GO-AROUND AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME CONDITION ON THE SECOND T/D. ON THE THIRD T/D, THE PILOT LANDED BUT WAS ONLY ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE ACFT UNTIL IT HAD SLOWED TO 10-15 MPH. IT THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT, DIPPING ITS LEFT WING AND COLLAPSING THE LEFT GEAR. THE ACFT CAME TO REST ON THE RUNWAY SUPPORTED BY THE WING, RIGHT MAIN GEAR, AND THE TAIL WHEEL. EXAM OF THE TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY REVEALED THAT THE TENSION SPRINGS WERE NOT CONNECTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40354](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40354), registered now, S/N 2132C, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-4
- 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: 2132
- Airframe hours: 850
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350-C1 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brian G.Rowell
- Registered owner: Brian Rowell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1987
- Departed: WATERTOWN, NY
- Destination: DAYTON, OH
- Airport: ELZ, Wellsville, runway 10, 4,300 × 75 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 237 total, 67 in this make and model, 140 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19870620021739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870620021739A), Jun 20, 1987: Maule M4220C, Wellsville, NY, Substantial damage. Lost directional control and ground looped on third landing attempt due to tailwheel shimmey. Springs had come off.

## Other investigations on N40354 (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 CHI97LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI97LA258), Aug 1, 1997: Maule M-4-220C (N40354), Bemidgi, MN, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's failure or inability to maintain directional control of the airplane, as a result of an undetermined anomaly concerning of the right main landing gear brake.
- [NTSB DEN74DTE72](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN74DTE72), May 19, 1974: Maule M4 (N40354), Boulder, CO, 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.

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