On December 22, 1986, a Maule M-7-235 (registration N151CD) was involved in an aviation accident near Ocala, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of control due to a fuel imbalance, compounded by the selection of full flaps during a crosswind landing. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot lost control of the aircraft during a crosswind landing because of a fuel imbalance. The left wing tip tank was found full after the accident, and the manufacturer noted that full flaps contributed to the issue.
What happened
During the landing phase, the aircraft dragged its wing along the ground before coming to rest beside the runway. According to the pilot's statement, control of the aircraft was lost due to a fuel imbalance. Following the accident, investigators found that the left wing tip tank was full of fuel.
The investigation
The aircraft manufacturer reviewed the incident and determined that the aircraft should have remained controllable under different conditions. Specifically, the manufacturer noted that control could have been maintained if full flaps had not been selected for the crosswind landing or if the aircraft had been landed in a different direction to place the crosswind on the opposite side.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to this accident include fuel imbalance and the selection of full flaps during a crosswind approach. The pilot's decision to use full flaps exacerbated the controllability issues caused by the fuel distribution.
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control due to a fuel imbalance, compounded by the selection of full flaps during a crosswind landing.