What happened
On December 13, 2015, at approximately 20:30 UTC, a Maule M-7-235B, registration PT-WPP, was performing a local flight at the Aeroclube de Bento Gonçalves (SSBG) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The aircraft was carrying a pilot and three passengers.
After approximately 15 minutes of flight, the aircraft returned for a landing on runway 31. The pilot reported that after the initial touchdown, the aircraft briefly lifted off again before making a second contact further down the runway. During the landing roll, a gust of wind lifted the right wing. Despite the pilot's attempts to maintain control using the ailerons and brakes, the left wing struck the ground. This impact caused the left main landing gear to break and the propeller to contact the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. All four occupants escaped the incident uninjured.
The investigation
The CENIPA investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance records and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. While the airworthiness certificate was valid and the aircraft was within weight and balance limits, investigators noted that the logbooks for the airframe, engine, and propeller were not up to date.
Because the airfield lacked a dedicated meteorological station, the exact wind conditions could not be precisely determined. However, estimates suggested a wind of approximately 10 knots from a direction that created a crosswind component. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that while the pilot held valid medical and aeronautical licenses, they had only 300 total flight hours, with only 2.5 hours specifically in the Maule M-7-235B model.
Findings
- The pilot's limited experience in this specific aircraft model may have contributed to an inadequate response to the crosswind conditions.
- The use of flaps during landing may have increased the aircraft's susceptibility to the wind gust.
- A reduction in aileron effectiveness due to decreasing airspeed during the landing roll may have prevented the pilot from maintaining the wing level.
- Loss of directional control during the landing roll was the primary event leading to the ground impact.