# NTSB WPR11LA444: Maule M-4-220C, N40625, Show Low, AZ, September 10, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 10, 2011, 07:55 local (14:55 UTC) - Place: Show Low, AZ - Coordinates: 34.265277, -110.005554 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2653&lon=-110.0056&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 9, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 81768 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR11LA444 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81768/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81768 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11LA444 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-4-220C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460114), [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 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) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after touchdown, the airplane immediately turned hard right and that he then applied engine power. The airplane subsequently exited the runway while still turning right and came to rest on its left side. A postaccident examination of the airplane and the braking system revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On September 10, 2011, about 0755 mountain standard time, a Maule M-4-220C, N40625, ground looped after landing at the Show Low Regional Airport (SOW), Show Low, Arizona. The pilot/owner operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot, the sole occupant, received minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight that departed a private airstrip in Roll, Arizona. A visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan had been filed. The flight departed from Roll at 0555 the morning of the accident.The pilot reported that after touchdown the airplane immediately turned hard to the right and he applied engine power. The airplane subsequently exited the runway still turning to the right and came to rest on its left side. The pilot's side door was broken, injuring the pilot's arm. A post accident examination of the airplane's brakes and flight controls revealed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N40625](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40625-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 2146C, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-4-220C - Registry model: [Maule M-4-220C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-4-220c) (registry code 5460114) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Franklin 6A-350SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a-350ser) (registry code 27023, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2146C - Airframe hours: 2070 - Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350SER 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Last inspection: Annual, March 27, 2011 - Departed: Roll, AZ - Destination: SOW, Show Low, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: SOW, Show Low Regional Airport, runway 06, 7,200 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 14, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 1,388 total, 1,330 in this make and model, 1,315 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: SOW ## 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 20110910020109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110910020109A), Sep 10, 2011: Maule M-4-220C, Showlow, AZ, Substantial damage. Airman was attempting to land a tail wheel airplane. After touchdown the left wing came up and the aircraft turned right. The airman applied power and leveled… ## Other investigations on N40625 (2) 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 LAX92LA040](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA040), Nov 8, 1991: Maule M4-220C (N40625), Coolidge, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN DUE TO INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE EXISTING WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE… - [NTSB LAX82DA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA142), Apr 20, 1982: Maule M-4 (N40625), Wickenburg, AZ, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 14, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81768. 660 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 517 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40354466&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 2, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415101&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.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. --- 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.