Maule M7 N260BD

Summary

On 31 December 2016 at about 19:00 local time, a Maule M7 registered N260BD was involved in an accident near Palouse, Washington, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 December 2016 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Palouse, Washington, United States

Nearest airport

Schoepflin (WN26)

Coordinates

46.8844, -117.0775

Aircraft

Maule M7

Registration

N260BD

Category

Airplane

Year built

2005

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Palouse → Pullman/Moscow

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA17CA106

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control on an ice- and snow-covered runway during taxi with a crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during a "medium speed taxi" on a runway in crosswind conditions, the airplane taxied over ice and drifted to the right. The pilot further reported that he corrected to the left, reduced throttle power, and the airplane taxied onto packed snow, "regaining lateral traction." The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder, but the airplane continued to veer to the left, exited the runway, and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and left wing lift struts. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.