# NTSB ATL88LA237: Maule MX-7-180, N56606, Eufaula, AL, August 24, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 1988, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Eufaula, AL
- Coordinates: 31.899509, -85.150695 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8995&lon=-85.1507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7803
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7803/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA237

## 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
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE LANDED ON A GRASS STRIP ADJACENT TO THE PAVED RWY, TO 'SAVE THE (AIRPLANE) TIRES' FROM EXCESSIVE WEAR. HE STATED THAT THE AIRPLANE GROUNDLOOPED DURING THE ROLLOUT WHEN IT ENCOUNTERED A HOLE IN THE TURF. A MECHANIC WHO EXAMINED THE AIRPLANE & ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE APPARENTLY GROUNDLOOPED AS THE AIRPLANE TURNED ONTO THE PAVED RWY DURING THE ROLLOUT. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT HE FOUND THE ROLLOUT AREA TO BE FREE OF HOLES AND FAIRLY SMOOTH, AND THAT THE RWY EDGE WAS ABOUT 2 INCHES HIGHER THAN THE TURF. THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT THE GRASSY AREA HAD SERVED AS A TEMPORARY RWY THE YEAR BEFORE WHEN THE PAVED RWY WAS CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE. ACCORDING TO THE APPLICABLE AIRPORT/FACILITY DIRECTORY, THE ARPT HAD ONLY A SINGLE PAVED RWY; NO GRASS RWY WAS LISTED. THE PLT DID NOT FILE AN ACC REPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N56606 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MX-7-180
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11011C
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Poly-Fabricators, Inc.
- Registered owner: Poly-Fabricators, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MBO, JACKSON, MS
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: EUF, Weedon Field, runway 36, 3,000 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; flight hours: 220 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DHN, 41 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 19880824038219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880824038219A), Aug 24, 1988: Maule MX7180, Eufaula, AL, Substantial damage. Landed along side of runway on the grass to save tire wear. Ground looped trying to regain runway on runway lip.

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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