Maule MX-7-180C N1052U accident near Akron, Alabama

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind.

NTSB analysis

The pilot stated that he overflew his private airfield prior to landing and noted that the wind was out of the west and "gusty". The wind was estimated by the pilot to be between 12 and 14 knots with gusts up to 20 knots. He elected to land on runway one without flaps and maintained an airspeed between 5 and 10 mph higher than normal due to the gusty conditions. During the flare, he was twice lifted by wind gusts before finally settling on the runway in a nose high attitude just left of centerline. The airplane began to yaw to the left and the pilot attempted to correct with the application of right brake. The airplane continued to the left until the left wing contacted a windsock, damaging the wing and causing the airplane to ground-loop around the windsock. The airplane came to rest after the right wing and elevator contacted the ground.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA136 for the full record.