Sunday, February 21, 2021

Loss of Control on Ground: Maule M-5-235C Lunar Rocket, N386X; accident occurred August 19, 2020 at Johnson County Executive Airport (KOJC), Olathe, Kansas





Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity:

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Kansas City, Kansas

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://registry.faa.gov/N386X


Location: Olathe, KS
Accident Number: CEN20CA356
Date & Time: 08/19/2020, 1816 CDT
Registration: N386X
Aircraft: Maule M5
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that the airplane touched down on the runway without incident. Shortly after touchdown, the airplane encountered a sudden wind gust and turned to the left. The pilot attempted to correct with aileron and rudder input. However, the airplane continued to turn left about 180° and came to rest upright. He stated that his aileron input was incorrect and exaggerated the left turn. In addition, he reported he was an inexperienced tailwheel pilot and the accident was "100% a case of pilot error." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and aileron. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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 loss of directional control during landing.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Landing-flare/touchdown Other weather encounter
Landing-flare/touchdown Attempted remediation/recovery
Landing-flare/touchdown Loss of control on ground (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 42, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 03/23/2020
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 04/21/2019
Flight Time: 471 hours (Total, all aircraft), 11 hours (Total, this make and model), 410 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Maule
Registration: N386X
Model/Series: M5 235C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1976
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 7029C
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 4
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/10/2020, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 2500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 1 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 988 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Lycoming
ELT: C126 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: O-540-51ASD
Registered Owner: Matthew Verley
Rated Power: 235 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: OJC, 1096 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1853 CDT
Direction from Accident Site: 0°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction: 130°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29.91 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 16°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Precipitation
Departure Point: Olathe, KS (OJC)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Olathe, KS (OJC)
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: CDT
Type of Airspace: Class D

Airport Information

Airport: Johnson County Executive (OJC)
Runway Surface Type: Concrete
Airport Elevation: 1096 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 18
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4098 ft / 75 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Touch and Go

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries:1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None
Latitude, Longitude: 38.847222, -94.737778 (est)

1 comment:

  1. Kudos to the pilot for analyzing what went wrong and learning from his mistake.

    ReplyDelete