# NTSB CHI89LA110: Maule MX-7-235, N12VR, Indianapolis, IN, June 17, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 17, 1989, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: Indianapolis, IN
- Location: 39.7684° N, 86.1580° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Indianapolis, IN, within about 11 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7684&lon=-86.1580&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 18, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14367
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89LA110
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14367/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89LA110

## Probable cause

IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN RUNWAY ALIGNMENT, AND HIS MISJUDGEMENT OF WINGTIP CLEARANCE ABOVE THE GROUND AS HE WAS MANEUVERING TO AVOID THE RUNWAY & VASI LIGHTS. THE CROSSWIND AND RUNWAY/VASI LIGHTS WERE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - initiated
  - terrain condition - ground
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12VR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12VR), registered now, S/N 10058C, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MX-7-235
- Registry model: [Maule MX-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-235) (registry code 5470207) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10058C
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-B4B5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: M. A. Mullins
- Registered owner: Michael A Mullins
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Departed: OVO, NORTH VERNON, IN
- Airport: 4I8, Indianapolis Metro, runway 14, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 400 total, 36 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19890617018059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890617018059A), Jun 17, 1989: Maule MX7235, Indianapolis, IN, Substantial damage. Unable to cope with strong crosswind. Both wings hit during attempted level off for landing. Aircraft nosed over.

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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