Maule M-7-235 N6129T

Summary

On 28 December 2011 at about 16:20 local time, a Maule M-7-235 registered N6129T, operated by TAF Aerial Services LLC, was involved in an accident near Eldorado, Texas, 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

28 December 2011 at 16:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Eldorado, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Eldorado Airport (27R)

Coordinates

30.8622, -100.6108

Aircraft

Maule M-7-235

Registration

N6129T

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

TAF Aerial Services LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Hondo → Eldorado

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12CA130

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate in-flight planning and decision-making, which resulted in a loss of control during a crosswind landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

As the flight neared the destination airport, the pilot obtained information from the nearest weather reporting facility, located about 33 miles away, which indicated that there would be a left crosswind component of about 15 knots with gusts to 20 knots on the landing runway. On final approach, the pilot noted that the windsock appeared to be extended at a 45 degree angle to the runway. He made his final approach with the left wing down and slightly more airspeed than usual to compensate for the crosswind. After both main wheels were on the runway, the pilot felt the left wing lift, even with full left aileron and opposite rudder inputs. He also felt that the airplane's right wheel brake was "spongy." As the wing lifted, the airplane began to ground loop to the left, skidded off the runway and impacted terrain, which resulted in substantial damage to the wings. After the pilot exited the airplane, he noted that the windsock was fully extended perpendicular to the runway. The pilot stated that he was very experienced in crosswind landings and that he should not have relied on a distant weather facility report; rather he should have made a full pattern approach to check the windsock more closely and better assess the local wind before landing. He stated that if he had been aware of how high the crosswind actually was, he would not have landed at this airport.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.