On October 6, 1989, a Maule M-4-220C (registration N40340) was involved in an aviation accident near Orlando, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: FAILURE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported sensing the left side of the aircraft was lower than normal after touchdown on runway 7. Applying brakes revealed an ineffective left brake, leading to a subsequent collapse of the left main landing gear.
What happened
The pilot landed the aircraft on runway 7 with a wind from 110 degrees at 8 knots. Immediately after touchdown, he noticed that the left side of the aircraft was lower than expected. When he applied the brakes, he found the left brake to be ineffective. Subsequently, the left main gear collapsed, and the aircraft came to rest in the middle of the runway.
The investigation
The source text does not provide details on a mechanical examination or post-accident inspection findings beyond the immediate observation of the gear collapse.