# NTSB SEA05LA065: Maule M-7-235C, N5509M, Graham, WA, March 13, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 12, 2005, 17:30 local (Mar 13, 2005, 01:30 UTC) - Place: Graham, WA - Coordinates: 46.990276, -122.218612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9903&lon=-122.2186&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 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Seattle, Washington - NTSB case key (mKey): 61190 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA065 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61190/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA065 ## Probable cause The failure of the right main gear due to separation of the attachment hardware. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear strut - collapsed (cause) - miscellaneous,bolt/nut/fastener/clamp/spring - missing (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the airplane developed engine problems during the cross-country flight and he elected to make a precautionary landing to a private airstrip. He reported that the landing touchdown was normal, but during the rollout he heard a "loud pop sound from under the seat" 4-5 seconds before the right main gear collapsed. Post accident examination of the airplane’s landing gear, by representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the operator, revealed that the center gear attach bolt and corresponding locking nut for the right main landing gear leg was missing. The bolt was later recovered, however, the locking nut was not found. The bolt was intact and nominal wear was noted. There was no evidence of thread failure or significant mechanical damage. The operator reported that the absence of the nut and bolt allowed the landing gear leg to separate from its corresponding attach assembly. It was not determined why the missing nut separated from the bolt and landing gear assembly. ## Factual narrative On March 12, 2005, about 1730 Pacific standard time, a Maule M-7-235C, N5509M, sustained substantial damage to the wing assembly following a main gear collapse during landing near Graham, Washington. The airplane is owned by the pilot, and was being was being operated as a cross-county flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR 91, when the accident occurred. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The flight originated from Deer Park, Washington, with a planned destination of Vashon Island, Washington. During a telephone conversation with the NTSB IIC on March 22, the pilot reported that the airplane developed engine problems during the cross-country flight and he elected to make a precautionary landing to a private airstrip near Graham, Washington. The pilot stated the landing touchdown was normal, but during the rollout he heard a "loud pop sound from under the seat" 4-5 seconds before the right main gear collapsed. Post accident examination of the airplane’s landing gear, by representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the operator, revealed that the center gear attach bolt and corresponding locking nut for the right main landing gear leg was missing. The bolt was later recovered, however, the locking nut was not found. The bolt was intact and nominal wear was noted. There was no evidence of thread failure or significant mechanical damage. The operator reported that the absence of the nut and bolt allowed the landing gear leg to separate from its corresponding attach assembly. It was not determined why the missing nut separated from the bolt and landing gear assembly. The operator provided no information as to the cause of the rough running engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: N5509M (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Maule M-7-235C - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25074C - Airframe hours: 794.2 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: George P. Kirkish - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2004, 84.9 hours before - Departed: 07S, DEER PARK, WA - Destination: Graham, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 12,367 total, 900 in this make and model, 12,307 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °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 20050312004079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050312004079A), Mar 12, 2005: Maule M7235C, Graham, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported that while on a CFR part 91 cross country flight he had developed engine problems and had elected to make a precautionary landing on a… 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.