# NTSB ERA17LA083: Maule MX7, N3156K, Carthage, TN, January 11, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 11, 2017, 15:40 local (21:40 UTC) - Place: Carthage, TN - Coordinates: 36.254444, -85.969169 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2544&lon=-85.9692&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 94593 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17LA083 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94593/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94593 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA083 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusting tailwind conditions, which resulted in a loss of airplane control during the landing flare. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-160, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5470203), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=5470203), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5470203), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=5470203), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=5470203), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5470203), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5470203), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-160, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5470203), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was landing on his 1,100 ft-long private grass airstrip. He set up for a landing to the north due to obstacles and the runway's upslope in that direction. A witness reported that the wind was "blowing hard," gusting, and variable at the time of the landing. The witness described the approach as normal until just before touchdown, when the left wing dropped and the right wing rose. The airplane then collided with the ground and came to rest on its nose with structural damage to the left wing and forward fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures before the accident, and the witness reported that the engine sounded normal during the event. Recorded weather information from nearby airports indicated wind from the south; one airport reported gusts of up to 29 knots. The pilot subsequently reported that the accident was the result of wind gusts that he had not anticipated. ## Factual narrative On January 11, 2017, at 1540 central standard time, a Maule MX-7-160, N3156K, was substantially damaged during landing at a private, grass airstrip at Carthage, Tennessee. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated at Lebanon Municipal Airport (M54), Lebanon, Tennessee, at 1518.The pilot reported that the preflight inspection, departure, and cruise portions of the flight were uneventful. He entered the traffic pattern at his property, which consisted of a grass airstrip that was about 1,100 feet in length. He maneuvered the airplane for a landing to the north, which was always the landing direction due to runway slope and obstacles. He checked the wind at the departure airport prior to landing and recalled that it was out of the south at 12 knots. He also checked the wind sock at his airstrip prior to landing. Due to his injuries, he did not recall the events of the landing sequence. A witness observed the accident and the weather conditions at the scene. He reported that the pilot arrived over the airstrip, and circled around the property. He then set up for a landing to the north. The wind was "really blowing hard" at the time, and he described the wind as strong and gusting, and coming from different directions. Just prior to the airplane touching down, the left wing dropped suddenly, and the right wing came up. The airplane then went nose down and stopped. He stated that the engine was "running great, no misfires or roughness." An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration responded to the accident site and examined the wreckage. Structural damage to left wing and fuselage was confirmed. An on-scene examination of the airframe, engine, and fuel system did not reveal evidence of a mechanical malfunction. The initial impact point was about 900 feet north of the approach end of runway 35, and about 200 feet west of the runway. The initial ground impact point matched damage to the left wingtip. The airplane came to rest in a nose low attitude, 30 feet to the west of the initial ground impact point. He also noted that runway 35 sloped uphill, with a total elevation change of 50-70 feet. Murfreesboro Municipal Airport (MQY), Murfreesboro, Tennessee was located about 30 nautical miles southwest of the accident site. The MQY weather at 1556 included wind from 180 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 20 knots. Nashville International Airport (BNA), Nashville, Tennessee, was located about 35 nautical miles west-southwest of the accident site. The BNA weather at 1553 included wind from 190 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 23 knots, with a recorded peak wind from 190 degrees at 29 knots. After the accident, the pilot reported that there was no mechanical failure or malfunction with the airplaneprior to the accident. He also reported that the accident was the result of wind gusts that were not anticipated by him. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3156K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3156K-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 19036C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE MX7 (160) - Registry model: [Maule MX-7-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-160) (registry code 5470203) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19036C - Year built: 1995 - Airframe hours: 1057 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 2016, 325 hours before - Departed: M54, Lebanon, TN - Destination: Carthage, TN - Airport: runway 35, 1,100 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: ADS-B, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 25, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 695 total, 478 in this make and model, 605 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 12 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: MQY, 30 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 20170111000059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170111000059A), Jan 11, 2017: Maule MX-7-160, Carthage, TN, Substantial damage. The pilot was attempting to land at his private airstrip. The runway a grass strip in a cow pasture, approximately 1100 feet in length and 75 feet wide with… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 24, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94593. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 444 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462422&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - NTSB Record of Telephone Conversation with Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 173 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462423&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB%20Record%20of%20Telephone%20Conversation%20with%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - Witness Statement - Smith (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462424&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Witness%20Statement%20-%20Smith-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record - FAA Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462425&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Accident Site Documentation and Photos (item 5, .PDF, 8 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40462426&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Accident%20Site%20Documentation%20and%20Photos-Master.PDF 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.