Maule M4 accident near Scappoose, Oregon, August 6, 2024
On August 6, 2024 at about 8:02 pm local time, a 1966 Maule M4, registered N9849M, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Scappoose, Oregon (Scappoose Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of directional control after an encounter with a wind gust.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 6, 2024 · about 8:02 pm local time
- Place
- Scappoose, Oregon · Scappoose Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M4 210C, built 1966 · all M4s on the register
- Registration
- N9849M · registry record · serial 1032C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that shortly after touching down in the tail wheel equipped airplane, as the tail was settling the airplane encountered a gust of wind from the right. The right wing lifted and the pilot was unable to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop. The left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing was substantially damaged. The pilot reported there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions that contributed to the accident.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control on ground during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
- Other weather encounter during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 130 hours in all; 27 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 62 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: March 8, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,351 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 29, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 2,300 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental IO-360-A-1 (piston); 2,061 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 33, 5,100 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 11 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 32°F (0°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 30.16 inHg
- Observation at 12:53 pm from KSPB
Weather report (METAR): KSPB 061953Z AUTO 06011G17KT 10SM CLR A3016 RMK AO2 SLPNO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 3 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
. Photograph 1 – Front View of Wreckage
Photograph 2 – Left Side View of Wreckage
Photograph 3 – Main Gear CollapseThe NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on March 6, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 4 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.