# NTSB ERA21LA345: Maule MXT-7-180, N32566, Troy, AL, August 28, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 28, 2021, 13:05 local (18:05 UTC)
- Place: Troy, AL
- Coordinates: 31.867308, -85.969686 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8673&lon=-85.9697&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: BHM FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 103774
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA21LA345
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103774/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103774
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA345

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing which resulted in a collision with terrain.

## 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 MXT-7-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5470206), [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 MXT-7-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5470206), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Maule MXT-7-180, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=5470206), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MXT-7-180, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5470206), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane with no anomalies noted and departed with the intent to practice approaches and landings. After the last practice approach, he set up for a straight in approach with full flaps. He stated that as he approached the runway threshold, “my right wing abruptly rose significantly, and the airplane started to slip to the left”. He applied right rudder and aileron but was unable to correct the airplane’s direction before it struck a tree with the left wing, descended, and came to rest inverted on the edge of the trees. The left wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that the airplane had no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N32566](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32566), registered now, S/N 14137C (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-360-C1F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-c1f) (registry code 42283, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 14137C
- Year built: 2018
- Airframe hours: 163
- Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2020, 54.4 hours before
- Departed: TOI, Troy, AL
- Destination: TOI, Troy, AL
- Airport: PVT, Dunn Private Airstrip, runway 10, 1,400 × 50 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 8, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 99.4 total, 20 in this make and model, 75.7 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.12 inHg
- Observed at: TOI, 2 nm away
- METAR: METAR KTOI 281753Z AUTO 10007KT 10SM FEW034 FEW044 BKN060 32/21 A3012 RMK AO2 SLP194 T03170211 10333 20250 58008=

## 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 20210828014009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210828014009A), Aug 28, 2021: Maule MXT-7-180, Troy, AL, Substantial damage. The pilot was making his first approach into his new private landing strip. As the pilot began his flare the aircraft experienced an unexpected crosswind…

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 5, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103774. 10.2 MB in all.

- Pilot aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 7 pages, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12732620&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_N32566_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 746 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12731993&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 328 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12732219&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20statement_N%20McBride_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 4.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12732135&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs%20-%20ERA21LA345-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 785 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12804754&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20release_Dunn_N32566_Redacted-Rel.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.