Sunday, December 13, 2020

Hard Landing: Maule M-7-260C, N288BC; Accident occurred June 24, 2020 in Yellow Pine, Valley County, Idaho






Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Boise, Idaho

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

Innovations Educational Consulting Inc


Location: Yellow Pine, Idaho
Accident Number: WPR20CA198
Date & Time: June 24, 2020, 08:30 Local 
Registration: N288BC
Aircraft: Maule M7
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Hard landing
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane decided to land on the airstrip following several successful landings on less challenging back country airstrips. During the approach into the steep, upsloping landing area, the pilot carried more airspeed with the intention of allowing the flare and upslope to arrest the airplane’s forward momentum. The pilot stated that the airplane was too fast and that his flare was not adequate when he touched down further down the airstrip than anticipated and the airplane bounced. When the airplane contacted the ground again, he applied maximum braking as he approached an oncoming cliff at the end of the airstrip, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right-wing lift strut and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's improper approach airspeed and landing flare, which resulted in a bounced landing, and subsequent nose over. 

Findings

Aircraft Airspeed - Incorrect use/operation
Aircraft Landing flare - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown Hard landing (Defining event)
Landing-flare/touchdown Nose over/nose down

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private 
Age: 36, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Waiver time limited special
Last FAA Medical Exam: March 23, 2018
Occupational Pilot: No 
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: October 2, 2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 334 hours (Total, all aircraft), 247 hours (Total, this make and model), 269 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 48 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 20 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Maule 
Registration: N288BC
Model/Series: M7 260C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 2012
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 30045C
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel 
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: October 26, 2019 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 70 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 280 Hrs at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: Installed, activated, did not aid in locating accident
Engine Model/Series: IO-540-V4A5D
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 260 Horsepower
Operator: 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time: 
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear 
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting:
Temperature/Dew Point: 18°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Big Creek Ranger Station, ID (I08)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Mile Hi, ID 
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 08:00 Local 
Type of Airspace: Class G

Airport Information

Airport: Mile Hi PRIV Runway
Surface Type: Grass/turf
Airport Elevation: 5800 ft msl Runway Surface
Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 19 IFR
Approach: None Runway
Length/Width: 560 ft / 13 ft VFR 
Approach/Landing: Full stop; Traffic pattern; Valley/terrain following

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None 
Latitude, Longitude: 45.150554,-114.999443(est)

2 comments:

  1. His flipped plane is seen laying there in a youtube video that another pilot made (link below). Exciting place to land.

    https://youtu.be/ZEJXetK6Ans?t=111

    ReplyDelete
  2. Interesting to read the comments by the video poster/pilot that he saw a person there and landed to check. The helicopter hoist-out of the aircraft had to be expensive...

    ReplyDelete