# NTSB WPR12CA215: Maule M-7-260, N7ZF, Brigham City, UT, May 6, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 6, 2012, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Brigham City, UT - Coordinates: 41.554164, -112.062225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5542&lon=-112.0622&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 83678 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA215 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83678/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83678 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA215 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing with a gusting crosswind. ## 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-7-260, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460111), [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-7-260, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, after a 1-hour local flight, he performed a flyover of the airport and noted that the windsocks at both ends of the runway indicated calm wind. The pilot stated that he flew a normal left pattern. As he turned the airplane onto the base leg, he checked to make sure the airplane was configured for landing. On final approach, he looked down the runway and determined that no crosswind correction was needed. The landing flare and touchdown were normal. However, on the landing roll, the tail veered to the right. The pilot increased power in an attempt to go around, but the airplane was already turning around, and the right wing was lifting. He reduced the power and attempted to maintain airplane control, but the right main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane veered off the runway and came to a stop. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noted over the next few minutes gusting wind conditions from the north, west, and northwest between 5 and 10 knots. The pilot further stated that he has experience landing in gusty wind conditions, but on the day of the accident the crosswind was variable and unpredictable. The airplane sustained damage to the landing gear, wing tip, and aileron. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he and a passenger flew in the local area for about an hour before landing at the accident airport. They performed a fly-over of the airport and noted that the windsocks at both ends of the runway were "hanging straight down." The pilot stated that he flew a normal left-hand pattern. As he turned the airplane onto the base leg, he checked to make sure the airplane was configured for landing. On final approach, he looked down the runway and determined that no crosswind correction was needed. The landing flare and touchdown were normal. However, on the landing rollout, the tail veered to the right. The pilot increased power in an attempt to go-around, but the airplane was already turning around, and the right wing was lifting. He reduced the power and attempted corrective flight control input in order to maintain airplane control, but the right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane veered off the runway and came to a stop. The pilot reported that the wind at the airport was light and variable, but gusting to 10 knots. After exiting the airplane, the pilot noted over the next few minutes gusting wind conditions from the north, west, and northwest between 5 and 10 knots. The pilot further stated that he has experience landing in gusty wind conditions, but on the day of the accident the crosswind was variable and unpredictable, with no warning. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7ZF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7ZF), registered now, S/N 26012C, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-7-260 - Registry model: [Maule M-7-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-260) (registry code 5460111) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 26012C - Airframe hours: 528 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-V4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 17, 2011, 39 hours before - Departed: BMC, Brigham City, UT - Destination: BMC, Brigham City, UT - Airport: BMC, Brigham City Airport, runway 34, 7,501 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 19, 2012; seat: left; flight hours: 816 total, 43 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: LGU, 17 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 20120506007279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120506007279A), May 6, 2012: Maule M-7-260, Brigham City, UT, Substantial damage. On landing rollout, aircraft ground looped. Damage to right aileron. Upper and lower right wing skins wrinkled; possible right wing spar damage. Right gear… ## Other investigations on N7ZF (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 LAX02LA112](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA112), Mar 15, 2002: Maule M-7-260 (N7ZF), Montague, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control. ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 1, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83678. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369230&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. --- 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.