# NTSB CEN20CA388: Maule MX7, N897DC, Brazoria, TX, September 7, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 7, 2020, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Brazoria, TX - Coordinates: 29.177499, -95.200279 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1775&lon=-95.2003&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 101949 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN20CA388 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101949/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101949 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA388 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during a go-around from unsuitable terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was attempting an off-airport landing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane to a location that he had not previously landed. He stated that just prior to touchdown he realized it was not a suitable landing area and he initiated a go-around. During the go-around, the airplane touched down on soft ground and tall grass, which caused the airplane to sink into the ground and nose over. The right lift strut was substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N897DC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N897DC), registered now, S/N 20012C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule MX7 (180A) - Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180a) (registry code 5460186) (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: 20012C - Year built: 1993 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2020, 6 hours before - Departed: LVJ, Houston, TX - Destination: LVJ, Houston, TX - Equipment: ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 2, 2019; seat: left; flight hours: 287 total, 26 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg ## 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 20200907018889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200907018889A), Sep 7, 2020: Maule MX-7-180A, Angleton, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to land in an unapproved area of a national wildlife refuge when the aircraft touched down in the 4 foot high grass the aircraft flipped over… ## Other investigations on N897DC (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA10CA227](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA227), Apr 11, 2010: Maule MX7 (N897DC), Greenville, NC, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model airplane. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101949. 22.2 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 6.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11393805&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120.1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 15.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11394469&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 492 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11394772&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.