On April 9, 1993, a Maule M-6-235 (registration N56509) operated by Meine, William F. was involved in an aviation accident near Englewood, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. FACTORS WERE: A CROSSWIND AND TAILWIND COMPONENT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During the third landing rollout on Runway 17L, the pilot reported the right wing lifted. Despite full aileron and rudder inputs, directional control was lost, leading to left wing contact and left main landing gear collapse.
Event Summary
Prior to the first landing on Runway 17L, the ATIS reported wind from 180 degrees at seven knots. For the second landing, the control tower advised the pilot wind from 050 degrees at six knots. The tower requested that the third landing be a full stop.
Pilot Actions and Aircraft Response
During the third landing rollout, the pilot stated that the right wing lifted. He applied full right aileron and full left rudder with brake but could not maintain directional control. Subsequently, the left wing contacted the runway and the left main landing gear collapsed.
Wind Conditions
The pilot estimated the winds at the time to be from the southwest at 15 knots. Official wind recorded one minute after the accident indicated 220 degrees at 15 knots.