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CEN14CA503

2014-09-12 · Largo Vista, Texas, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport KRYW

Current FAA registration · N719WM

Make / Model
MAULE MT-7-260
Year of manufacture
2006 · 8 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING IO-540-V4A5D (260 hp)
Seats / Engines
4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20060413
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A99F7C

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting wind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in the nose landing gear impacting the runway and the subsequent collapse of the nose landing gear.

Factual narrative

Prior to departure, the pilot noted the wind from the right at 8-16 knots and gusting 16-21 knots. He added that just after the airplane got airborne, there was a downdraft, and the airplane bounced three times. The airplane then made three larger bounces, before the nose landing gear collapsed and the propeller contacted the runway. The airplane exited the runway and came to rest in the grass. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Prior to departure, the pilot noted the wind from the right at 8-16 knots and gusting 16-21 knots. He added that just after the airplane got airborne, there was a downdraft, and the airplane bounced three times. The airplane then made three larger bounces, before the nose landing gear collapsed and the propeller contacted the runway. The airplane exited the runway and came to rest in the grass. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Response/compensation - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-(general)-Not attained/maintained - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Downdraft-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2014_CEN14CA503.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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