# NTSB CEN15CA134: Maule MX 7-180, N773MC, Georgetown, TX, January 23, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 23, 2015, 15:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Georgetown, TX - Coordinates: 30.68111, -97.679168 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6811&lon=-97.6792&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 10, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 90689 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15CA134 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90689/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90689 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15CA134 ## Probable cause The pilot did not maintain control of the airplane while landing in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5470205), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5470205), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5470205), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=5470205), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=5470205), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5470205), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot maneuvered the airplane to land and noted moderate gusting wind from the left. During the landing, the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind; the airplane began a left turn and then a hard right turn. The pilot lost control of the airplane and it exited the left side of the runway. The pilot advanced the throttle to avoid a ditch but the right wheel impacted the ditch. The left wing then struck the ground which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot maneuvered the airplane to land and noted moderate gusting wind from the left. During the landing, the airplane encountered a strong gust of wind; the airplane began a left turn and then a hard right turn. The pilot lost control of the airplane and it exited the left side of the runway. The pilot advanced the throttle to avoid a ditch but the right wheel impacted the ditch. The left wing then struck the ground which resulted in substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N773MC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N773MC), registered now, S/N 11019C (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 11019C - Year built: 1986 - Airframe hours: 860 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald Pfiester - Registered owner: Donald Pfiester - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 21, 2014 - Departed: FTW, FORT WORTH, TX - Destination: GTU, Georgetown, TX - Airport: GTU, Georgetown Muni, runway 36, 5,004 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, Auto-pilot, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 27, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,674 total, 14 in this make and model, 5,117 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,200 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: KGTU ## 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 20150123002939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150123002939A), Jan 23, 2015: Maule MX-7-180, Georgetown, TX, Substantial damage. Following purchase PIC received 1.5 hours dual before embarking cross country from Virginia to Texas. While landing at gorgetown airport (gtu) PIC over… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 9, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90689. 5.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40423243&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.