Summary
On September 16, 2018, a Maule M7 (N760AC) was involved in an incident near Grass Valley, OR. All 1 person 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 failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the second approach to the unimproved canyon airstrip in moderate turbulence he felt that the groundspeed was faster than normal and that he had a tailwind, but he reduced power to idle, and landed. About 300 ft into the ground roll, at 35 mph, the airplane veered left. He applied right rudder and moderate braking, but the airplane exited the airstrip to the left. The airplane's left main landing gear struck a pile of rocks that were painted white and used to mark the edge of the runway. The left main landing gear separated from the airplane.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA569. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N760AC.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the second approach to the unimproved canyon airstrip in moderate turbulence he felt that the groundspeed was faster than normal and that he had a tailwind, but he reduced power to idle, and landed. About 300 ft into the ground roll, at 35 mph, the airplane veered left. He applied right rudder and moderate braking, but the airplane exited the airstrip to the left. The airplane's left main landing gear struck a pile of rocks that were painted white and used to mark the edge of the runway. The left main landing gear separated from the airplane.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, left wing, and left aileron.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
An automated weather observation system about 16 nautical miles from the accident site reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 13 knots, gusting to 16 knots. The pilot was landing to the south.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA18CA569