Pilot Debrief

MAULE M 7-235C near Mankato, MN — 2015-10-11

Final reportGAA16CA019
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Date
2015-10-11
Location
Mankato, MN, USA
Airport
MKT
Aircraft
MAULE M 7-235C
Registration
N3180G
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the go-around, which resulted in a collision with terrain.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he was landing in gusting wind conditions, and that while on final, "the wind let off causing us to sink faster than I wanted so I added power." He reported that the airplane drifted to the left side of the runway, he attempted to correct the drift, and then he decided to execute a go-around. He reported that during the go around, he encountered a large gust of wind while in a nose high attitude, and added full right rudder and full left aileron. The right main landing gear struck the ground and was severed, and the airplane impacted the ground. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot stated as a safety recommendation, he should have "Come in a little faster and used 1 or 2 notches of flaps versus 3."

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have used fewer flaps and approached faster to handle gusting winds.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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