# NTSB SEA00LA003: Maule M-5-235C, N6147M, Laurel, MT, October 21, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 21, 1999, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Laurel, MT - Coordinates: 45.600662, -108.680984 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.6007&lon=-108.6810&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 21, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47698 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47698/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA003 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions. Factors include a dust devil/whirlwind at the location where the pilot was trying to land. ## 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 - dust devil/whirlwind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Gear collapsed, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot stated that, during the landing roll, a 'whirlwind' picked the aircraft's right wing up and the aircraft subsequently began to weathervane to the right. Before the pilot could adequately correct for the wind condition, the left main gear collapsed inward resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft's left wing and fuselage. A post-accident inspection of the aircraft revealed no mechanical failure or malfunctions in the flight control system. ## Factual narrative On October 21, 1999, approximately 1200 mountain daylight time, a Maule M-5-235C, N6147M, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal/pleasure flight, was substantially damaged following the collapse of the left main gear while landing at Laurel Municipal Airport, Laurel, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight plan was filed. The flight originated from Pullman/Moscow Regional Airport, Pullman, Washington, approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes prior to the accident. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. There was no report of an ELT activation. The pilot reported that when he overflew the airport, the position of the wind sock indicated the wind appeared to be directly down runway 22. As he turned final, he noticed that there was a "...slight wind from the right." But, according to the pilot, by the time the aircraft was about 75 feet above the terrain, the wind once again appeared to be directly down the runway. Then after the aircraft touched down in a three-point attitude, and while the pilot was letting it roll to dissipate speed before braking, a "...whirlwind picked the right wing straight up." With the wing in the air "...the plane started to weathervane to the right." Before the pilot could correct for the wind condition, the left main gear collapsed inward, and the left wing contacted the runway. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Helena, Montana, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the wreckage and reported there was no indication of any mechanical failure or malfunction in the flight control system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6147M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6147M), registered now, S/N 7185C, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-5-235C - Registry model: [Maule M-5-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (registry code 5460135) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7185C - Airframe hours: 1766 - Engines: Lycoming O-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wayne A. Matney - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 1999, 32 hours before - Departed: PUW, PULLMAN, WA - Destination: 6S8 - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 6S8, Laurel Municipal Airport, runway 22, 3,775 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 3,327 total, 34 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BIL, 11 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 19991021043519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991021043519A), Oct 21, 1999: Maule M5235C, Laurel, MT, No damage. (-23) The pilot stated that he was down and on rollout when a gust of wind hit him from the right side. He tried to control the a/c but it ground looped and… 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.