Maule M 6 180C N72RM

Summary

On 16 July 2006 at about 18:50 local time, a Maule M 6 180C registered N72RM was involved in an accident near Kemmerer, Wyoming, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 July 2006 at 18:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Kemmerer, Wyoming, United States

Nearest airport

Kemmerer Muni (EMM)

Coordinates

41.8239, -110.5569

Aircraft

Maule M 6 180C

Registration

N72RM

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kemmerer → Caldwell

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DEN06LA100

Nobody was injured.

the pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff due to the improper rigging of the airplane's flap system by unknown maintenance personnel. A contributing factor was the high density altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

In the fall of 2004, the airplane had been damaged while in a hangar during a hurricane. During the repairs, the wings were removed and reinstalled. Prior to the pilot's purchase of the airplane, he and an inspection authorization (IA) certificated mechanic examined the airplane and the airplane's maintenance records. During the cross-country flight back to the pilot's state of residence, he landed for an intermediate fuel stop. After refueling, the pilot taxied to runway 34 for takeoff. According to the airport's automated weather observing system (AWOS), the density altitude was 10,300 feet mean sea level and the wind was 4 knots from the west. In accordance with the airplane flight manual, the pilot selected the second notch of flaps (24 degrees) for the takeoff. During the takeoff roll, the airplane began to "lift off (feel light) and the tail wheel left the ground, the [airplane] began turning left." The pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane back to the runway centerline; however, the application of "right rudder was ineffective." The airplane's main landing gear struck a runway light and the airplane was approaching a snow fence. Subsequently, the pilot "intentionally ground-looped the airplane," and the airplane came to rest upright in a field adjacent to the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed that the wing flap system was not rigged in accordance with the airplane's maintenance manual. The accident airplane's "handle full down" flap setting was 0 degrees, and according to the manual, the "handle full down" flap setting was negative 7 degrees. The flap settings were found to be misrigged by 7 degrees through the entire flap setting range. In accordance with the airplane flight manual, the flap handle position for takeoff should be set the second notch, or 24 degrees of flaps, position. Due to the improperly rigged flap setting, the actual flap position during the accident attempted takeoff was 31 degrees. According to the airplane manufacturer, the 31 degrees of flaps at takeoff would produce increased drag and premature lift of the wing. During takeoff with the improper flap position, elevator authority would be available; however, rudder authority may be decreased at lower airspeeds.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.