# NTSB SEA08CA086: Maule M-4, N2039U, Jerome, ID, March 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 5, 2008, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Jerome, ID - Coordinates: 42.726665, -114.45639 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7267&lon=-114.4564&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 30, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 67639 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA08CA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67639/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA08CA086 ## Probable cause The failure of both pilots to maintain directional control of the airplane during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot; cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Landing gear system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023200/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=5460114), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The certificated flight instructor and student pilot were departing runway 26 on an instructional flight in a tail wheel equipped airplane. The certified flight instructor (CFI), who was seated in the right seat, reported that the student pilot was manipulating the flight controls during the takeoff roll and the airplane drifted left of runway centerline. The student pilot corrected the situation, but the airplane began to track right of runway center line and the CFI took the flight controls. The flight instructor stated he applied left rudder and brake, but the airplane continued to track to the right and eventually exited the right shoulder of the runway. After exiting the runway, the airplane collided with a large rock and the left main landing gear strut collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Following the accident, the CFI reported that the brakes functioned properly during the preflight, however, appeared to have not been working during the accident sequence. A representative from the FAA examined the airplane and reported that the brakes were damaged and functional testing was not possible. The pilot reported that the wind was from the west at 4 knots. ## Factual narrative The certificated flight instructor and student pilot were departing runway 26 on an instructional flight in a tail wheel equipped airplane. The first pilot/certified flight instructor (CFI), who was seated in the right seat, reported that during the takeoff roll with the student pilot manipulating the flight controls the airplane drifted left of runway centerline. The student pilot corrected the situation, but the airplane began to track right of runway center line and the CFI took the flight controls. The first pilot stated he applied left rudder and brake, but the airplane continued to track to the right and eventually exited the right shoulder of the runway. After exiting the runway, the airplane collided with a large rock and the left main landing gear strut collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Following the accident, the CFI reported that the brakes functioned properly during the preflight, however, appeared to have not been working during the accident sequence. A representative from the FAA examined the airplane and reported that the brakes were damaged and functional testing was not possible. The pilot reported that the wind was from the west at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2039U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2039U), registered now, S/N 2034C, built 1969 (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: 2034C - Engines: Franklin 6A 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeffery L. Jacobson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: JER, Jerome, ID - Destination: JER, Jerome, ID - Airport: JER, Jerome County, runway 26, 5,001 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 63; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 9,500 total, 3 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days - Student pilot; age 30; student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 10 total, 1 in this make and model, 7 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 39 °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 20080305011529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080305011529A), Mar 5, 2008: Maule M4220C, Jerome, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) On take off, student pilot added power and aircraft started down the center line of the runway. The aircraft's nose turned a few degrees to the left 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.