# Accident 20131111022789A: Maule MX-7-235, Santa Barbara, CA, November 11, 2013

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: November 11, 2013, 09:15 local time
- Place: Santa Barbara, CA
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Maneuver
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 34.6378° N, 119.6175° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6378&lon=-119.6175&mi=10
- Aircraft: N88CR, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88CR-2018-03-08) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Maule MX-7-235 (registry code 5470207, https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-235) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D (registry code 42354, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-j1a5d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MX-7-235
- Reported engine: LYCOMING O-540-J1A5D
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 310 total, 200 in this make and model, 75 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR14CA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA048) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131111022789A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

THE PILOT DEPARTED A PRIVATE AIRSTRIP LOCATED IN THE MOUNTAINS APPROXIMATELY 23NM EAST OF SANTA YNEZ AIRPORT TO RETURN TO SANTA YNEZ AIRPORT, IN SANTA YNEZ, CALIFORNIA. UPON CLIMBING OUT, THE PILOT FOLLOWED DRAINAGE TO THE NORTH. ABOUT 3 NM NORTH A TURN WAS MADE TO THE WEST, UP A CANYON WITH A LARGE GRASSY MEADOW. THE PILOT NOTICED TWO (2) BLACK BEARS BELOW, AND MADE A 180 DEGREE DESCENDING RIGHT TURN TO GET A BETTER LOOK AT THE BEARS.  THE PILOT THEN PERFORMED ANOTHER 180 DEGREE TURN TO THE RIGHT. DURING THESE MANEUVERS, THE PILOT WAS TOO DISTRACTED BY THE BEARS TO REALIZE HE WAS DESCENDING INTO RISING TERRAIN. WHEN THE PILOT FINALLY REALIZED THE SITUATION, HE APPLIED FULL POWER; HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT HAD LOST TOO MUCH AIRSPEED AND ALTITUDE TO AVOID HITTING THE HILLSIDE. THE PLANE MADE CONTACT WITH THE HILLSIDE WITH THE TWO MAIN WHEELS. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TO ROLL DOWN THE HILLSIDE UNTIL THE NOSE OF THE PLANE DUG INTO THE GROUND AND FLIPPED THE AIRCRAFT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB WPR14CA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA048), Nov 11, 2013: Maule MX 7-235 (N88CR), San Ynez, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering at low altitude in hilly terrain.

## Other reports on N88CR (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19990126010589I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990126010589I), Jan 26, 1999: Maule MX7235 (N88CR), Clarksdale, MS, Minor damage. During landing roll out after a three point landing-pilot stated tail lifted up. Aircraft was left resting on propeller and main gear-minor damage- no injuries.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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