# NTSB WPR26LA200: Maule M-7-260C, N261MM, Kanab, UT, May 21, 2026 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: May 21, 2026, 16:26 local (22:26 UTC) - Place: Kanab, UT - Coordinates: 37.010511, -112.53147 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0105&lon=-112.5315&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 9, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 203055 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR26LA200 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/203055/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203055 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA200 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with gusting crosswind conditions. ## 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-7-260C, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5470112), [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-7-260C, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=5470112), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll, and prior to the tailwheel contacting the runway surface, a gust of wind moved the tail of the airplane to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder input, followed by alternating right and left rudder inputs. However, the airplane ground looped to the left, and the right main landing gear collapsed. During the ground loop, the right wing struck the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The pilot reported that, at the time of the accident, he was landing the airplane on runway 1 with a west-northwest wind at 10 knots, gusting to 19 knots. According to the pilot, there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N261MM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N261MM), registered now, S/N 30015C, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-7-260C - Registry model: [Maule M-7-260C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-260c) (registry code 5470112) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 30015C - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 1421.6 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: May 9, 2026, 13 hours before - Departed: CNO, Chino, CA - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: KNB, Kanab Municipal Airport, runway 1, 6,200 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Handheld GPS, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 21, 2026; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 469 total, 13.5 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 13.5 in the last 90 days, 13.5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 10 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 16 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KKNB - METAR: METAR KKNB 212215Z AUTO 32010G17KT 10SM MM 28/M09 A2995 RMK A01= ## 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 20260521006439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20260521006439A), May 21, 2026: Maule M-7-260C, Kanab, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to land at airport with crosswind at 10 knots gusting 19. During touchdown, wind gust pushed aircraft from centerline. Pilot's flight control… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 9, 2026, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=203055. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20520384&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 4 pages, 3 photos, 611 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=20521035&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array-Rel.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.