What happened
On September 17, 2014, a private Maule M-7-235B (registration N1027G) departed from Lille-Marcq-en-Baroeul for a flight to Le Touquet-Paris Plage. Upon arrival, the pilot received ATIS information indicating runway 13 was in use with a wind of 080° at 10 knots. During the approach, air traffic control reported a wind of 080° at 12 knots.
The pilot conducted the final approach at 75 mph using the third flap setting (40°). While performing a three-point landing, the pilot ceased correcting for drift at a low altitude. During the subsequent deceleration phase, the aircraft suddenly veered to the left. This maneuver caused the left wing to lift and the right wingtip to strike the runway, leading to the collapse of the right main landing gear and the eventual immobilization of the aircraft on the runway. There were no fatalities among the two occupants, though the aircraft sustained heavy damage.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's flight manual, meteorological data, and pilot experience. The manual for the Maule M-7-235B specifies five flap positions, noting that while the fourth notch is standard for landing, other positions are permissible. The manual also notes that while the demonstrated maximum crosswind component is 12 knots, this limit is not considered restrictive when using the first flap notch, and the use of the first notch is recommended during gusty crosswind landings.
Meteorological records showed that while the ATIS indicated a 10-knot wind, gusts of up to 17 knots were present. However, the pilot was not specifically alerted to the presence of these gusts during the final stages of the approach. The pilot, who held private pilot licenses from both the United States and the United Kingdom and had approximately 2,000 total flight hours, noted that the aircraft is highly sensitive to crosswind gusts.
Findings
- The pilot performed the approach and landing based on the wind information available at the time.
- The aircraft was likely destabilized by a sudden crosswind gust during the landing roll.
- The sudden nature of the wind gust prevented the pilot from correcting the aircraft's trajectory.
- The inherent instability of tailwheel aircraft during ground operations, caused by the center of gravity being located behind the main gear, contributed to the loss of directional control.