# NTSB SEA06CA191: Maule M-6-235, N9918T, Ronan, MT, September 29, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 29, 2006, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Ronan, MT
- Coordinates: 47.572776, -114.096664
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.5728&lon=-114.0967&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 26, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64625
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA06CA191
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64625/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA06CA191

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in the tailwheel-equipped aircraft.   A swale (sunken area) between the runway and the taxiway was a factor.

## 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 maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - other (contributing factor)

## Analysis

During the landing roll in the tailwheel-equipped aircraft, the pilot failed to maintain directional control, and the aircraft departed the side of the runway. After departing the runway, the aircraft rolled through a swale (sunken area) between the runway and the taxiway. As it was coming up out of the swale, the aircraft's right wing contacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage. In his written statement, the pilot said, "I should have maintained better directional control of the aircraft on the runway..."  There was no indication of a flight control malfunction.

## Factual narrative

During the landing roll in the tail wheel-equipped aircraft, the pilot failed to maintain directional control, and the aircraft departed the side of the runway. After departing the runway, the aircraft rolled through a swale (sunken area) between the runway and the taxiway. As it was coming up out of the swale, the aircraft's right wing contacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage. In his written statement, the pilot said, "I should have maintained better directional control of the aircraft on the runway..."  There was no indication of a flight control malfunction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9918T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9918T), registered now, S/N 7491C, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule M-6-235
- Registry model: [Maule M-6-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (registry code 5460160) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7491C
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-W1A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Randle  V. White
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KMSO, Missoula, MT
- Destination: 7S0, Ronan, MT
- Airport: 7S0, Ronan Airport, runway 34

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 261 total, 100 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °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 20060929019149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060929019149A), Sep 29, 2006: Maule M6235, Ronan, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing, the pilot lost control of the aircraft. The aircraft ground-looped, damaging the right wing's front and rear spars, the left wing's front…

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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