# NTSB CHI99LA300: Maule MXT7-180A, N982NW, Lapointe, WI, August 16, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 16, 1999, 13:45 local (18:45 UTC) - Place: Lapointe, WI - Coordinates: 46.80941, -90.679443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8094&lon=-90.6794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47074 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA300 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47074/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA300 ## Probable cause the pilot not maintaining control of the airplane during a crosswind landing. A factor in this accident was inadequate remedial action by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - crosswind - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot said he was landing on runway 22 with a right hand crosswind. As the airplane touched down its nose pointed to the left. The pilot said he decided to go around as the airplane drifted toward the runway's left side. He said the airplane did not gain sufficient altitude to clear the trees that were about 300 feet southeast of the runway. Witnesses to the accident observed the airplane touch down as it was drifting to the left. They reported that the airplane had drifted onto the runway's sod-covered clearway. They said the right wing '...came up sharply...' as the airplane lifted off the ground. They reported the airplane gained about 30 to 50 feet before vanishing over brush and trees. The pilot said there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the landing approach and events leading to the collision with the trees. ## Factual narrative On August 16, 1999, at 1345 central daylight time (cdt), a Maule MXT7-180A, N982NW, piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees and the ground during a go-around maneuver following an aborted landing on runway 22 (3,300' by 70', dry asphalt) at the Madeline Island Airport, LaPointe, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot and passenger reported no injuries. The flight departed a restricted landing area near Robsco, Minnesota, about 1200 cdt. The pilot said he was aware of a crosswind from the west while on final approach for runway 22. He said the airplane's nose pointed to the left of the runway's centerline as the airplane was touching down. The pilot said a "...sudden gust of wind weather vaned the plane to the left side of runway 22." He said he decided to abort the landing and go around. According to the pilot, the airplane did not gain sufficient altitude to clear the trees it was approaching. The trees were about 15 to 20 feet high and "...approximately 300 feet southeast..." of the runway, according to the LaPointe Police Department incident report. A witness to the accident reported that "The wind was gusting and the pilot was making corrections..." during the landing approach. The witness continues, "Just as he touched down, he was drifting to the left of the runway, and was almost all the way off it. His wheels touched down momentarily, then his right wing came up sharply and the plane lifted off the ground, curving up and to the left in an uncontrolled turn. The plane didn't get above 30 [to] 50 feet [above the ground] and vanished over the brush and trees... ." The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures during the landing approach and events leading to the collision with the trees. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N982NW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N982NW), registered now, S/N 21046C, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule MXT7-180A - Registry model: [Maule MXT-7-180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mxt-7-180a) (registry code 5460187) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-C1F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-c1f) (registry code 41573, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21046C - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Iron Bond Advertising, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: RLA, ROBSCO, MN - Destination: WI32 - Airport: W132, Madeline Island Airport, runway 22, 3,300 × 70 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 238 total, 160 in this make and model, 148 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 14 knots, gusting 21 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ASX ## 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 19990816012339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990816012339A), Aug 16, 1999: Maule MXT7180A, La Pointe, WI, Destroyed. Acft bounced on landing, and the acft went off the rwy adn struck trees. (-23) aircraft attempted to land runway 22. A strong gust of wind caught the aircraft… 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.