# NTSB ATL04LA084: Maule MX-7-180A, N3179U, Plains, GA, March 13, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 2004, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Plains, GA
- Coordinates: 32.088611, -84.372497
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.0886&lon=-84.3725&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Atlanta FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 58902
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL04LA084
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58902/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL04LA084

## Probable cause

The pilot's misjudgment of the speed/distance/altitude which resulted in a overrun of the runway.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Overrun, landing - roll
  - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

According to the pilot, during the approach to landing at a private airstrip he misjudged the length of the landing surface and landed long, and collided with the trees at the end of the runway. The pilot did not report any flight control or mechanical problems prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed, both wing assemblies broke off the fuselage. The fuselage, and engine firewall was buckled.

## Factual narrative

On March 13, 2004, at 0930 eastern standard time, a Maule MX-7-180A, N3179U, registered to and operated by a private pilot collided with a stand of trees on a private landing strip near Plains, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage and the private pilot and passenger were uninjured. The flight departed Dawson Airport, Dawson, Georgia on March 13, 2004 at 0900.

According to the pilot, during the approach to landing at a private airstrip, the airplane collided with a stand of trees at the end of the runway during the landing roll. The pilot did not report any flight control or mechanical problems prior to the accident.

Examination of the airplane revealed, both wing assemblies broke off the fuselage. The fuselage was buckled, and the engine firewall was buckled.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3179U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3179U), registered now, S/N 20028C, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule MX-7-180A
- Registry model: [Maule M-6-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (registry code 5460160) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-B4B5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-b4b5) (registry code 42340, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 20028C
- Airframe hours: 250
- Engines: Lycoming 0360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Daniel H Boyd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 27, 2003, 5 hours before
- Departed: 16J, DAWSON, GA
- Destination: Plains, GA
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review June 5, 2003; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 55 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 30.35 inHg
- Observed at: KABY, 8 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20040313003109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040313003109A), Mar 13, 2004: Maule MX7180A, Plains, GA, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was attempting to land on a Private airfield near Plains, Georgia. The grass airfield is not listed on the sectional for the area. The owner of the…

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.

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