# NTSB DFW06CA215: Maule MT-7, N143RM, Ponca, AR, September 15, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 15, 2006, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Ponca, AR - Coordinates: 36.0536111111111, -93.3675 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0536&lon=-93.3675&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Little Rock, AR - NTSB case key (mKey): 64605 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW06CA215 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64605/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW06CA215 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper flare resulting in a hard landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - Nose over, landing ## Analysis The 2,129-hour commercial pilot executed a straight-in approach to his private airstrip. On final approach, the pilot configured the airplane with full flaps, nose-trimmed-up, and maintained 60 knots. The pilot reported that the airplane landed hard on the 1,200-foot long by 60-foot wide private grass airstrip. The tricycle gear equipped airplane bounced and became airborne after the hard landing. During the second touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over, subsequently coming to rest near the center of the airstrip, in the inverted position. There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress from the airplane unassisted. The first touchdown point was reported at a point 120 feet beyond the landing threshold, with a second touchdown point found to be 110 feet beyond the initial touchdown point. The pilot reported clear skies, and the wind from 130 degrees at 10 knots, and added that the grass runway was "mowed, smooth, and normal." The pilot reported that total time on the airframe was 70 hours and he had accumulated a total of 82 hours in the same make and model. ## Factual narrative The 2,129-hour commercial pilot executed a straight-in approach to his private airstrip. On final approach, the pilot had the airplane configured with full flaps, with nose-trimmed-up, while maintaining 60 knots. The pilot reported that the airplane landed hard on the 1,200-foot long by 60-foot wide private grass airstrip. The tricycle gear equipped airplane bounced and became airborne after the hard landing. During the second touchdown, the nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane nosed over, subsequently coming to rest near the center of the airstrip, in the inverted position. There was no fire and the pilot was able to egress from the airplane unassisted. The first touchdown point was reported at a point 120 feet beyond the landing threshold, with a second touchdown point found to be 110 feet beyond the initial touchdown point. The pilot reported clear skies, and the wind from 130 degrees at 10 knots, and added that the grass runway was "mowed, smooth, and normal." The pilot reported that total time on the airframe was 70 hours and he had accumulated a total of 82 hours in the same make and model. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N143RM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N143RM-2006-12-07), registration cancelled 2006-12-07, S/N 18094C, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule MT-7 - Registry model: [Maule MT-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mt-7-235) (registry code 5460175) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-W1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-w1a5) (registry code 41660, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18094C - Airframe hours: 70 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Michael E. Mills - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2006 - Departed: KTKX, Kennet, MO - Destination: Ponca, AR - Airport: UNK, Private Airstrip, runway UNK, 1,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 2,129 total, 82 in this make and model, 2,017 as pilot in command, 59 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: HRO, 16 nm away ## 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 20060915018989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060915018989A), Sep 15, 2006: Maule MT7235, Ponca, AR, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 12, 2006 at 1815 CDT, N143RM a Maule MT-7-235 was substantially damaged during landing near Ponca, Arkansas. Day visual meteorological… 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.