# NTSB CHI96LA272: Maule MT-7-235, N3187Z, Poseyville, IN, August 4, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 1996, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Poseyville, IN - Coordinates: 38.169502, -87.780479 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1695&lon=-87.7805&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10340 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI96LA272 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10340/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI96LA272 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper flare during the landing. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's lack of familiarity with the make and model of airplane. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Gear collapsed, landing - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - landing gear,nose gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing, the airplane touched down, and as it rolled down the runway, the nose gear collapsed and the propeller went into the ground. He said he was 'not very familiar' with the airplane and he 'didn't know the nose was so heavy.' He reported that the airplane did not bounce during the landing, and he believed the airplane was 'rolling' when the nose dropped. An FAA inspector examined the airplane and reported the nose was crushed at a 20 to 30 degree angle due to a 'substantial impact'. The strut was fractured near the fork. The inspector reported that 'it appears that the aircraft either bounced first, or just landed in an extremely nose down condition.' He reported no evidence of a preimpact mechanical malfunction. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 1996, at 1600 eastern standard time, a Maule MT-7-235, N3187Z, sustained substantial damage when the nose gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over during landing in Poseyville, Indiana. The private pilot and one passenger reported no injury. The local, personal flight originated about 1530 and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he had made two landings and takeoffs. During the third landing, the airplane touched down, rolled down the runway, the nose gear collapsed, and the propeller went into the ground. During a telephone interview, the pilot reported that he was "not very familiar" with the airplane and he "didn't know the nose was so heavy." He reported that the airplane did not bounce during the landing and he believed the airplane was "rolling" when the nose dropped. The Federal Aviation Administration Inspector who examined the airplane reported that the nose was crushed at a 20 to 30 degree angle due to a "substantial impact". The strut was fractured near the fork. Four "prop strikes" proceeded the primary ground scar. He reported that "it appears that the aircraft either bounced first, or just landed in an extremely nose down condition." He reported no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3187Z](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3187Z), registered now, S/N 18022C, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule MT-7-235 - Registry model: [Maule MT-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mt-7-235) (registry code 5460175) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18022C - Airframe hours: 21 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Ralph E. Koch - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 30, 1996, 21 hours before - Departed: 92IN - Airport: 921N, Ralph Koch, runway 23, 1,900 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 585 total, 20 in this make and model, 453 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °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 19960804021059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960804021059A), Aug 4, 1996: Maule MT7235, Poseyville, IN, Substantial damage. Bounced on landing and the nose struck the ground. (-23) damage to the aircraft indicates a substantial impact to lower engine and nose gear. It appears that… 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.