# NTSB DFW07CA101: Maule MXT-7-180, N800CP, Sierra Blanca, TX, April 24, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 24, 2007, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Sierra Blanca, TX - Coordinates: 31.25, -105.3 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.2500&lon=-105.3000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 27, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Albuquerque, New Mexico - NTSB case key (mKey): 65671 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW07CA101 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65671/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW07CA101 ## Probable cause The loss of control as result of the pilot's failure to compensate for the existing wind conditions. A contributing factor was the crosswind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - aborted - weather condition - high wind - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - aborted - object - fence ## Analysis The 1,471-hour commercial pilot lost control of the single-engine airplane while attempting to abort a crosswind landing on a closed runway. The flight had originated from the accident location where the pilot arrived earlier in the day to pick-up an aerial observer. The flight was scheduled in support of a local sheriff department that has requested assistance in locating a stolen vehicle in a remote rural area. The search for the stolen vehicle was discontinued by the pilot after he became aware that a nearby airport had issued a high wind warning for the area. The mishap took place when the pilot elected to return to the airport to drop-off the observer. The pilot reported that he planned for a straight-in approach to runway 21. The closed airport was not equipped with a windsock; however, the pilot reported that he was aware that a strong right crosswind was present when he was established on final approach with the flaps extended to the 24-degree setting. The winds at the KELP airport at the time of the accident were reported from 270 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 26 knots. The pilot added that soon after the right main landing gear tire touched down on the runway, a gust of wind attempted to roll the aircraft to the left and the pilot elected to apply full engine power to abort the landing. During the attempted aborted landing, the airplane collided with tall bushes lining both sides of the runway, continued through a fence, and finally came to rest on a pasture east of the runway. The right wing and the both horizontal stabilizers sustained structural damage. The pilot and the observer were not injured. ## Factual narrative The 1,471-hour commercial pilot lost control of the single-engine airplane while attempting to abort a crosswind landing on a closed runway. The flight had originated from the accident location where the pilot arrived earlier in the day to pick-up an aerial observer. The flight was scheduled in support of a local sheriff department that has requested assistance in locating a stolen vehicle in a remote rural area. The search for the stolen vehicle was discontinued by the pilot after he became aware that a nearby airport had issued a high wind warning for the area. The mishap took place when the pilot elected to return to the airport to drop-off the observer. The pilot reported that he planned for a straight-in approach to runway 21. The closed airport was not equipped with a windsock; however, the pilot reported that he was aware that a strong right crosswind was present when he was established on final approach with the flaps extended to the 24-degree setting. The winds at the KELP airport at the time of the accident were reported from 270 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 26 knots. The pilot added that soon after the right main landing gear tire touched down on the runway, a gust of wind attempted to roll the aircraft to the left and the pilot elected to apply full engine power to abort the landing. During the attempted aborted landing, the airplane collided with tall bushes lining both sides of the runway, continued through a fence, and finally came to rest on a pasture east of the runway. The right wing and the both horizontal stabilizers sustained structural damage. The pilot and the observer were not injured. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N800CP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N800CP), registered now, S/N 14058C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule MXT-7-180 - Registry model: [Maule MXT-7-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mxt-7-180) (registry code 5470206) (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: 14058C - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial observation, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eyes on the Border Foundation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Sierra Blanca, TX - Destination: Sierra Blanca, TX - Airport: NONE, Sierra Blanca, runway 21, 3,000 × 35 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 1, 2007; seat: left; flight hours: 1,471 total, 15 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 18 knots, gusting 35 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: KELP, 88 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 20070424005499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070424005499A), Apr 24, 2007: Maule MXT7180, Sierra Blanca, TX, Substantial damage. (-23) On April 24, 2007 at 1100 MDT a Maule MXT-7-180 lost control during a crosswind landing at an abandoned, privately owned airport near Sierra Blanca,… 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.