# NTSB ATL97LA094: Maule MX-7-180C, N71VF, Dyersburg, TN, July 1, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 1, 1997, 16:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Dyersburg, TN - Coordinates: 36.029819, -89.379646 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0298&lon=-89.3796&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 15, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3866 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA094 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3866/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA094 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper planning/decision and failure to insure the that airplane would remain clear of trees during the go-around. Factors relating to the accident included: the high temperature, high density altitude, and the proximity of trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with object, go-around (vfr) - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - performed, pilot in command - go-around - initiated, pilot in command - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - weather condition - temperature,high (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, go-around (vfr) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was landing on runway 34 when the airplane 'bounced on landing and weathervaned into the wind.' He said he initiated a go-around and gradually retracted the flaps to build up his airspeed; however, the airplane remained in ground effect. The pilot stated that the airplane would not 'climb quickly enough to clear a hedgerow perimetering a golf course.' Subsequently, the airplane struck the hedgerow and crashed onto the golf course. Ambient conditions at the time of the accident included high temperature and high density altitude. ## Factual narrative On July 1, 1997, about 1615 central daylight time (CDT), a Maule MX-7-180C, N71VF, collided with the ground, near the Dyersburg Airport, Dyersburg, Tennessee. The flight was being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The commercial pilot received minor injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The departure time is unknown. The pilot stated that he was landing on runway 34 when he "bounced on landing and weathervaned into the wind". He initiated a go-around, "in order to not impose severe sideload on the landing gear". The airplane remained in ground effect, and the pilot gradually retracted the flaps to build up his airspeed. The pilot stated that the airplane would not "climb quickly enough to clear a hedgerow perimetering a golf course". The airplane struck the hedgerow, the left wing struck a tree, and the airplane rotated approximately 135 degrees. Subsequently, the left main gear struck a "barbed-wire fence and was torn from the airframe". The airplane came to rest on the golf course. According to the Sheriff's report, the pilot stated that he was "landing on runway 34 and the plane began to veer to the left and he decided to try and go around. The plane did not get enough altitude, causing the plane to veer to the left with the left wing tip striking the ground and then plow through a fence row coming to rest in the number six fairway, heading south". There were no mechanical malfunctions reported by the pilot. According to the Sheriff's Report, the pilot stated that he was leaving another airplane at the airport for an inspection and was picking up N71VF for a test flight with its newly installed avionics equipment. He stated that he stopped in Kenneth, Missouri for fuel, and then returned to Dyersburg, stating that he was having problems with the new radio and was returning to have it inspected. The pilot purchased N71VF, a 1997 MX-7-180C, new and had accumulated 11 hours total airframe time. The engine left the Lycoming factory on 10/19/96. The pilot stated in the accident report that an annual inspection would be the type of maintenance program. The last inspection was prior to leaving the factory. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N71VF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N71VF), registered now, S/N 28002C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule MX-7-180C - Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180c) (registry code 5460189) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28002C - Airframe hours: 11 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mark J. Schindler - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Unknown, April 3, 1997, 11 hours before - Airport: DYR, Dyersburg Municipal, runway 34, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,436 total, 8 in this make and model, 1,315 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DYR, 1 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 19970701016399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970701016399A), Jul 1, 1997: Dyersburg, TN, Substantial damage. On test flight, tail section made back and forth motion, applied full power, stalled, landed on a golf course. (-23) aircraft first touched down on the runway… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.