Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On May 25, 1997, at 1036 mountain daylight time, a Maule M-4-220C, N9865M, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during landing at Englewood, Colorado. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at Albuquerque, New Mexico, approximately 0755.

According to the pilot's accident report, control tower personnel advised, and was confirmed by ATIS (automatic terminal information service) that the winds were from 070 degrees at 10 knots. The pilot was then "cleared to land, runway 35R, number two, following a Beech jet on a two mile final, caution wake turbulence." The landing was uneventful. He said that during the landing roll, "a strong gust of wind from the right" caused the airplane to ground loop. The pilot was able to maintain aileron control and kept the right wing down, but he had insufficient rudder to maintain directional control.

The pilot said neither ATIS nor the control tower made mention of wind gusts. According to Centennial Airport's Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS), winds recorded 4 minutes after the accident were 010 degrees at 8 knots. failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll. The gusty crosswind condition was a related factor.