NTSB Factual Report

On June 4, 2005, about 1700 Pacific daylight time, a Maule 7-235, N90KD, ground looped during the landing rollout at the Truckee-Tahoe airport (TRK), Truckee, California. The owner/pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot and passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal cross-country flight departed Half Moon Bay Airport (HAF), Half Moon Bay, California, about 1450. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

In a telephone conversation, the pilot reported that he landed on runway 28, and that the winds were approximately 220 degrees at 10 to 12 knots. During the landing roll, the right main landing gear collapsed under the fuselage. The airplane did a 180-degree left turn before coming to a stop.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that they departed Half Moon Bay for a scenic flight. He decided to make an approach into the South Lake Tahoe Airport (TVL), South Lake Tahoe, California, but was uncomfortable with the conditions. He then elected to consider landing at Truckee. He listened to the automated surface observation system (ASOS) and talked to a pilot of a Mooney airplane that was ahead of him on the approach. The pilot watched the Mooney land successfully and decided to continue on the approach for runway 28. The approach and landing were satisfactory. However, as the airplane slowed down to taxi speed, it veered to the left. He applied full right rudder, but the airplane continued to track toward the runway's edge. The pilot then applied the brake, and the right main landing gear folded. Shortly thereafter, the airplane's right wing tip and propeller struck the surface.

In his statement, the pilot reported that his wife heard and felt a snap under her seat as the airplane veered to the left.

In a telephone conversation, a mechanic reported that he examined the airplane following the accident. He stated that, in his opinion, there was nothing mechanically wrong with the right main landing gear that would have caused it to fail. He believes that the gear failed due to a tremendous side load place on it.

In a telephone conversation, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that he spoke to the pilot following the accident. He stated that the pilot told him that a gust of wind blew him to the side.

An aviation routine weather report (METAR) issued for Truckee at 1445 reported that the winds were from 190 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 18 knots.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.