On May 25, 1997, a Maule M-4-220C (registration N9865M) was involved in an aviation accident near Englewood, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. The gusty crosswind condition was a related factor. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot reported that a gust of wind during the landing roll caused the airplane to ground loop after landing on runway 35R, with winds from 070 degrees at 10 knots.
Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during a landing on runway 35R, the airplane encountered a gust of wind during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop. The pilot had been advised by the control tower that the winds were from 070 degrees at 10 knots, and this information was confirmed by the ATIS. The pilot noted that neither the control tower nor the ATIS transmission mentioned wind gusts. The pilot estimated the wind was gusting an additional 5 to 10 knots.
Conditions
The pilot stated that the winds were reported as 070 degrees at 10 knots, without any mention of gusts. However, during the landing roll, the pilot experienced a gust, leading to the loss of directional control and the ground loop.
Aftermath
The airplane ground looped, but no further details about damage or injuries were provided in the report.