# NTSB ERA09CA136: Maule MX-7-180C, N1052U, Akron, AL, January 18, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: January 18, 2009, 14:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Akron, AL
- Coordinates: 32.870773, -87.730911 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.8708&lon=-87.7309&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 12, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73252
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA136
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73252/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA136

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. Contributing to the accident was the crosswind.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180C, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460189), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460189), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5460189), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5460189), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460189), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460189), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he overflew his private airfield prior to landing and noted that the wind was out of the west and "gusty". The wind was estimated by the pilot to be between 12 and 14 knots with gusts up to 20 knots. He elected to land on runway one without flaps and maintained an airspeed between 5 and 10 mph higher than normal due to the gusty conditions. During the flare, he was twice lifted by wind gusts before finally settling on the runway in a nose high attitude just left of centerline. The airplane began to yaw to the left and the pilot attempted to correct with the application of right brake. The airplane continued to the left until the left wing contacted a windsock, damaging the wing and causing the airplane to ground-loop around the windsock. The airplane came to rest after the right wing and elevator contacted the ground.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the Maule MX-180C stated that he overflew his private airfield prior to landing and noted that the wind was out of the west and "gusty". The wind was estimated by the pilot to be between 12 and 14 knots with gusts up to 20 knots. He elected to land on runway one without flaps and maintained an airspeed between 5 and 10 mph higher than normal due to the gusty conditions. During the flare, he was twice lifted by wind gusts before finally settling on the runway in a nose high attitude just left of centerline. The airplane began to yaw to the left and the pilot attempted to correct with the application of right brake. The airplane continued to the left until the left wing contacted a windsock damaging the wing and causing the airplane to ground-loop around the windsock. The airplane came to rest after the right wing and elevator contacted the ground.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1052U](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1052U), registered now, S/N 28007C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MX-7-180C
- Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180c) (registry code 5460189) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-C1F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-c1f) (registry code 41573, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28007C
- Airframe hours: 1533
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Strickland Thomas M
- Registered owner: Strickland Thomas M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, November 18, 2008
- Departed: TCL, Tuscaloosa, AL
- Destination: AL03, Akron, AL
- Airport: AL03, Strickland-Smalley Field, runway 01, 2,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 3, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 474 total, 55 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 13 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observed at: TCL, 22 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 20090118002759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090118002759A), Jan 18, 2009: Maule MX7180C, Akron, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot in command elected to land on the crosswind runway. Lost control of the airplane on the landing rollout, struck windsock structure during…

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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