Maule M-6-235 N71MS

Summary

On 29 December 2023 at about 20:27 local time, a Maule M-6-235 registered N71MS, operated by TAF Aerial Services LLC, was involved in an accident near Beaumont, Texas, United States. 2 people were 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

29 December 2023 at 20:27

Classification

Accident

Location

Beaumont, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Jack Brooks Rgnl (BPT)

Coordinates

30.0706, -94.2158

Aircraft

Maule M-6-235

Registration

N71MS

Category

Airplane

Year built

1984

Engines

1

Operator

TAF Aerial Services LLC

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Aerial Observation

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN24LA081

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing in crosswind conditions, which resulted in a ground loop on the runway.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the landing attempt with a direct left crosswind in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot reported he heard a pop, and the airplane veered to the right. The pilot attempted to make a correction to the left to maintain airplane control. The pilot felt the empennage lift and the propeller struck the runway. The right main landing gear collapsed, the right wing struck the runway, and the airplane pivoted around the left main landing gear coming to rest on the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing and wing struts. According to a mechanic, postaccident examination revealed fractures to the landing gear structure that were consistent with an abnormal sideload and subsequent ground loop. No other mechanical failures or malfunctions were reported with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. At the time of the accident, the pilot was landing the airplane on runway 34 with wind from 250° at 12 knots and gusting to 16 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.