# NTSB WPR10CA455: Maule MX7, N6138Y, Willows, CA, September 11, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 11, 2010, 09:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Willows, CA
- Coordinates: 39.515556, -122.217224 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5156&lon=-122.2172&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 77264
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA455
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77264/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77264
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA455

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5470205), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)
- [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 MX-7-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5470205), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5470205), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5470205), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that a gust of wind blew the airplane to the left of the runway as he was landing. He tried to abort the landing; however, the airplane barely lifted off the ground. The airplane continued to the left off of the runway and landed hard about 100 feet from the runway and ground looped. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector examined the airplane; he established flight control continuity from the cockpit to the rudder and elevators. The rudder pedals operated smoothly with no restrictions. The main landing gear wheels and tail wheel were also inspected with no mechanical abnormalities noted.

## Factual narrative

The pilot stated that a gust of wind blew the airplane to the left of the runway as he was landing. He tried to abort the landing; however, the airplane barely lifted off the ground. The airplane continued to the left off of the runway and landed hard about 100 feet from the runway and ground looped. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector examined the airplane; he established flight control continuity from the cockpit to the rudder and elevators. The rudder pedals operated smoothly with no restrictions. The main landing gear wheels and tail wheel were also inspected with no mechanical abnormalities noted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6138Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6138Y-2011-09-08), registration cancelled 2011-09-08, S/N 11061C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MX7 (180)
- Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180) (registry code 5470205) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11061C
- Airframe hours: 1354
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 12, 2010, 15 hours before
- Departed: GOO, Grass Valley, NV
- Destination: WLW, Willows, CA
- Airport: WLW, Willows-Glenn County Airport, runway 16, 4,125 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 7, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,481 total, 484 in this make and model, 14 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: CIC, 27 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 20100911050589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100911050589A), Sep 11, 2010: Maule MX-7-180, Willows, CA, Substantial damage. During a normal landing at the Willows, Glen-county airport, CA, the aircraft ground looped during rollout. The aircraft was substantially damaged during the…

## Other investigations on N6138Y (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX92LA317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA317), Jul 28, 1992: Maule MX-7-180 (N6138Y), Lovelock, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PRESENCE OF DUST DEVILS IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 8, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77264. 795 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 795 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336783&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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