# NTSB ATL94LA017: Maule M-7-235, N9226M, Lake City, SC, November 14, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 14, 1993, 17:48 local (22:48 UTC)
- Place: Lake City, SC
- Coordinates: 33.85913, -79.749557 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8591&lon=-79.7496&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 17, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3325
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3325/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA017

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A PROPER GLIDEPATH WHICH RESULTED IN COLLISION WITH TREES NEAR THE APPROACH END OF THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

AFTER A SHORT LOCAL FLIGHT, THE PILOT RETURNED TO HIS  PERSONALLY OWNED AIRSTRIP FOR LANDING. THE PILOT SET UP THE APPROACH FOR A SHORT FIELD LANDING. ON FINAL APPROACH, THE PILOT REALIZED THAT HE HAD SELECTED AN IMPROPER TOUCHDOWN POINT WHICH PLACED A GROUP OF TREES IN HIS FLIGHT PATH. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO FLY OVER THE TREES AND CONTINUE THE LANDING. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE TREES AND CRASHED ON THE RUNWAY. A POST-IMPACT FIRE OCCURRED AFTER THE PILOT EXITED THE AIRPLANE.

## Factual narrative

On November 14, 1993, at 1748 eastern standard time, a Maule Air M-7-235, N9226M, was substantially damaged following a collision with trees and terrain at a private airfield near Lake City, South Carolina. The commercial pilot received minor injuries in the accident. The aircraft was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed for the local personal flight.

The pilot stated that he made his approach to the private airfield too low, and hit a group of trees on the approach end of the runway. The aircraft then impacted the runway and was substantially damaged. The pilot stated that after he exited the aircraft and was walking to his home to report the accident, the aircraft caught fire and was destroyed.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9226M](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9226M-1995-06-09), registration cancelled 1995-06-09, S/N 4109C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule M-7-235
- Registry model: [Maule M-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235) (registry code 5470208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4109C
- Airframe hours: 196
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Moore, Robert G.
- Registered owner: G And M Builders Corporation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1992, 54 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 17, 1,700 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,250 total, 220 in this make and model, 2,150 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLO, 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 19931114042779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931114042779A), Nov 14, 1993: Maule M7235, Lake City, SC, Substantial damage. Too low on final. Struck trees. Crashed onto runway threshold. Walking to call for help fire consummed aircraft.

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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