# NTSB ATL87LA128: Maule MX-7-180, N5670C, Greenville, SC, April 28, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1987, 17:26 local (21:26 UTC)
- Place: Greenville, SC
- Coordinates: 34.860267, -82.300682 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8603&lon=-82.3007&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7420
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7420/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87LA128

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS DOING TOUCH AND GO'S TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH HIS NEW AIRCRAFT. ON THE FIFTH LANDING THE AIRCRAFT STARTED A GROUNDLOOP AND HE RECOVERED BY ADDING FULL POWER. ON THE NEXT LANDING THE AIRCRAFT AGAIN STARTED A GROUNDLOOP TO THE RIGHT, HE ADDED FULL POWER BUT DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. HE WAS UNABLE TO STOP BEFORE THE AIRCRAFT HIT A DITCH AND NOSED DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5670C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5670C-2021-09-04), registration cancelled 2021-09-04, S/N 11031C, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MX-7-180
- Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180) (registry code 5470205) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11031C
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: T. R. Scott
- Registered owner: Scott, Thomas R.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: CMU, Greenville Downtown, runway 36, 5,393 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 474 total, 8 in this make and model, 402 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSP, 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 19870428011759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870428011759A), Apr 28, 1987: Maule MX7180, Greenville, SC, Substantial damage. Lost control of aircraft doing touch and go landings. Departed runway. Ground looped and nosed down in a ditch.

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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