On February 15, 1999, a Maule M-4-220C (registration N2077U) was involved in an aviation accident near Prescott, AZ. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing due to wind gusts. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A private pilot practicing landings encountered successive wind gusts upon return, causing the aircraft to ground loop off the runway and roll into a ditch.
What happened
The incident involved a private pilot conducting a local flight intended for practice landings and to give a friend a ride. Upon returning to the airport, the pilot executed a three-wheel landing. Shortly after touchdown, the aircraft encountered a gust of wind. Although the pilot initially managed to recover control, a second gust of wind struck the aircraft. This subsequent disturbance caused the airplane to ground loop off the runway. The aircraft then rolled into a ditch before eventually coming to a complete stop.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to the accident were the wind gusts that disrupted the aircraft's stability during the landing roll. The sequence of events indicates that while the initial recovery was successful, the second gust proved too significant for the pilot to maintain directional control on the ground.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing due to wind gusts.
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