Summary
On September 15, 1997, a Maule M4-210 (N9804M) was involved in an incident near Bethel, AK. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's abrupt application of brakes during the landing roll.
On September 14, 1997, at 1728 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel equipped Maule M4-210 airplane, N9804M, sustained substantial damage when it ground looped during landing at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The private certificated pilot, and the one passenger aboard were uninjured. The airplane was owned and operated by Daniel M. Picazo, of Bethel, Alaska. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, as a personal flight, and had originated from Canyon Creek strip at 1630. Instrument meteorological conditions of 800 foot broken ceilings, 1 1/2 miles visibility in light rain, prevailed at the time of the accident.
The airplane had been issued a Special VFR clearance to enter the Class D airspace and land on runway 18. Winds were 190 degrees at 8 knots.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC97LA149. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9804M.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's abrupt application of brakes during the landing roll.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On September 14, 1997, at 1728 Alaska daylight time, a tailwheel equipped Maule M4-210 airplane, N9804M, sustained substantial damage when it ground looped during landing at the Bethel Airport, Bethel, Alaska. The private certificated pilot, and the one passenger aboard were uninjured. The airplane was owned and operated by Daniel M. Picazo, of Bethel, Alaska. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91, as a personal flight, and had originated from Canyon Creek strip at 1630. Instrument meteorological conditions of 800 foot broken ceilings, 1 1/2 miles visibility in light rain, prevailed at the time of the accident.
The airplane had been issued a Special VFR clearance to enter the Class D airspace and land on runway 18. Winds were 190 degrees at 8 knots. Runway 18 is asphalt covered, and is 6,398 feet long by 150 feet wide. The runway was wet at the time of the accident.
The pilot stated that he had just landed, and was abeam taxiway Bravo when requested by the tower controller to clear the runway at Bravo. He stated that he should have continued rolling to the next intersection, but instead quickly applied brakes to stop. Directional control was lost, the airplane yawed 360 degrees to the right, and the left wing contacted the ground.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC97LA149