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June 20, 2003 · Maule M-7-235C · C-FCDM

Moses Lake, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 20, 2003
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Moses Lake, WA
Aircraft
Maule M-7-235C
Tail Number
C-FCDM
Operator
Mesa Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA03LA109

When the pilot first contacted the tower, they cleared him to land on runway 14 Left. Because the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) indicated the winds were coming from the southwest, he asked the tower what the current winds were. The tower controller told him the winds were from 240 degrees at approximately six knots, and then asked if he would like to land on runway 22. After the pilot answered affirmatively, he was cleared to land on runway 22. While he was on final, the pilot noticed there was a strong right quartering headwind. In an attempt to compensate for the wind conditions, the pilot elected to keep the right wing low during the landing flare, necessitating an initial touchdown on the right main gear. Although the touchdown in this manner was successful, during the landing roll, when the pilot lowered the left main gear to the runway, the right wing lifted into the air, and the left wing contacted the runway surface. The pilot said he believed the aircraft encountered a wind gust just as he lowered the left wheel to the runway surface, and he further stated that he did not feel there were any problems with the aircraft's flight controls or tailwheel steering systems.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during the landing roll. Factors include gusty crosswinds.

Full Narrative

On June 20, 2003, approximately 0740 Pacific daylight time, the wing of a Canadian-registered Maule M-7-235C, C-FCDM, impacted the runway surface during the landing roll at Grant County Airport, Moses Lake, Washington. The Canadian-certified pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR part 91 personal pleasure flight, which departed Oliver, British Columbia, Canada, about one hour prior to the accident, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. The aircraft was on a VFR flight plan, and the pilot was landing in Moses Lake in order to clear Customs. There was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, when he first contacted the tower, they cleared him to land on runway 14 Left. Because the Automatic Terminal Information Service (ATIS) indicated the winds were coming from the southwest, he asked the tower what the current winds were. The tower controller told him the winds were from 240 degrees at approximately six knots, and then asked if he would like to land on runway 22. After the pilot answered affirmatively, he was cleared to land on runway 22. While he was on final, the pilot noticed there was a strong right quartering headwind. In an attempt to compensate for the wind conditions, the pilot elected to keep the right wing low during the landing flare, necessitating an initial touchdown on the right main gear. Although the touchdown in this manner was successful, during the landing roll, when the pilot lowered the left main gear to the runway, the right wing lifted into the air, and the left wing contacted the runway surface. The pilot said he believed the aircraft encountered a wind gust just as he lowered the left wheel to the runway surface, and he further stated that he did not feel there were any problems with the aircraft’s flight controls or tailwheel steering systems.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:40 PDT
Nearest AirportGrant County (0nm)
Runway220
Runway Length10000 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMaule M-7-235C
Tail NumberC-FCDM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorMesa Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-W1A5 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 59 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 5 kt, gusting 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data