# NTSB SEA06CA182: Maule M-4-180V, N786ST, Lewistown, MT, September 11, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 10, 2006, 18:30 local (Sep 11, 2006, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Lewistown, MT
- Coordinates: 47.198333, -109.310279
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.1983&lon=-109.3103&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64508
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA182
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64508/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA182

## Probable cause

The airplane inadvertently impacted a coyote hole during the landing roll on unsuitable terrain.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - other (cause)
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot said that he taxied the full length of the runway before takeoff, but did not notice the coyote hole.  Upon landing, he said he hit something "hard" immediately after touchdown.  The pilot performed a go-around, landed, and taxied to the hangar uneventfully.  Post impact inspection revealed wrinkled skin under the left door.  After removing the seats, it was determined that the carry-thru structure was bent.

## Factual narrative

On September 10, 2006, at approximately 1830 mountain daylight time, a Maule M-4-180V, N786ST, was substantially damaged during a landing attempt at the Spear T Ranch airstrip (private; elevation 4,340feet), Lewistown, Montana.  The commercial pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured.  The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal local flight which originated approximately 35 minutes before the accident.  The pilot had not filed a flight plan.

The pilot said that he taxied the full length of the runway before takeoff, but did not notice the coyote hole.  Upon landing, he said he hit something "hard" immediately after touchdown.  The pilot performed a go-around, landed, and taxied to the hangar uneventfully.  Post impact inspection revealed wrinkled skin under the left door.  After removing the seats, it was determined that the carry-thru structure was bent.  The pilot said that he had mowed the field two days prior to the accident, and the hole was not there.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N786ST](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N786ST), registered now, S/N 47003T, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule M-4-180V
- Registry model: [Maule M-4-180V](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-180v) (registry code 5460136) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 47003T
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Peter D. Mickelsen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, Lewistown, MT
- Destination: NONE, Lewistown, MT
- Airport: NONE, Spear T Ranch, runway 260, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; flight hours: 704 total, 60 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: LWT

## 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 20060910019139A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060910019139A), Sep 10, 2006: Maule M4180V, Lewistown, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) Shortly after touchdown on the aircraft owner's Private strip the aircraft's right main struck a hole dug by an animal. The aircraft received substantial…

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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