# Accident 20220530009169A: Maule MX-7-180C, Willits, CA, May 30, 2022

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 30, 2022, 08:40 local time
- Place: Willits, CA
- Damage: Destroyed
- Phase of flight: Other, Specify
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 39.4980° N, 123.1937° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4980&lon=-123.1937&mi=10
- Aircraft: N1043B, a cancelled registration (https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1043B-2023-01-28) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Maule MX-7-180C (registry code 5460189, https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180c) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-360-A1D (registry code 41504, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MX-7-180C
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-360-A1D
- People aboard: 2
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor, private pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 7,875 total, 42 in this make and model
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB WPR22LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA192) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220530009169A

## Narrative

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

ON THE MORNING OF THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ DEPARTED NAPA COUNTY AIRPORT (KAPC) FOR A SMALL PRIVATE STRIP LOCATED A ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.  THE AIRCRAFT HAD ONE PILOT, ONE PASSENGER AND FULL FUEL ON BOARD.  FLIGHT PATH WAS DIRECT FROM APC TO THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP.  THE PRIVATE STRIP IS A DIRT RUNWAY APPROXIMATELY 1500'X100' ON A 7/25 HEADING AT 1350' MSL.  TERRAIN RISES 200' APPROX 800' OFF THE EAST END OF THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE RUNWAY FROM THE WEST ON 070 HEADING.  THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD AND BOUNCED.  THE PILOT APPLIED POWER AND TRANSITIONED TO A CLIMB.  AS THE AIRCRAFT CRESTED OVER A GROUP OF 60-100' TALL TRESS, THE PILOT REACHED TO PULL OR ROTATE A KNOB NEAR THE THROTTLE QUADRANT.  THE PILOT THEN TURNED THE AIRCFRAFT TO THE LEFT WHILE THE NOSE STARTED TO ENTER A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.  THE AIRCRAFT LEVELED OUT, POSSIBLY LEFT WING LOW BEFORE IT IMPACTED THE GROUND.  THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO REST 800' OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND 200' TO THE LEFT (NORTH) OF THE CENTERLINE OF THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRCRAFT WAS IN WHEELS DOWN, WINGS UP WITH THE TAIL FACING NORTH.  A POST ACCIDENT FIRE CONSUMED MOST OF THE AIRCRAFT, THE PASSENGER EXTRACTED THE PILOT FROM THE AIRCRAFT DURING THE FIRE.  THE RIGHT WING HAD IMPACT DAMAGE OUT AT THE TIP AND THE WING WAS BENT FORWARD OF THE FUSELAGE.  THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR WAS BENT UNDER THE AIRCRAFT AND WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FUSELAGE.  THE PROPELLER AND RING GEAR WERE 15-20' SOUTH OF THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE.  OTHER THAN THE BENDING TO THE PROPELLER BLADES THEY REMAINED INTACT.  THE PASSENGER WAS UN-INJURED, THE PILOT SUSTAINED FATAL BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA TO THE HEAD.  ENGINE INSPECTION IN SCHEDULED FOR JULY.  IF MORE INFORMATION BECOMES AVAILIBLE THIS REPORT WILL BE AMMENDED TO INCLUDE THAT INFORMATION.

## 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 WPR22LA192](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA192), May 30, 2022: Maule MX-7-180C (N1043B), Willits, CA, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: An uncommanded descent during a go-around maneuver for undetermined reasons.

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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