# NTSB ERA22LA205: Maule MX7, N4278B, Tampa, FL, April 25, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 25, 2022, 11:05 local (15:05 UTC) - Place: Tampa, FL · KVDF Airport - Coordinates: 28.013987, -82.345259 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0140&lon=-82.3453&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - 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: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 105002 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105002/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105002 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA205 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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-7-180A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460186), [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-7-180A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that almost immediately upon touching down with a slight left crosswind the airplane’s left wing dipped and “the ground loop began.” He then added power in an attempt to execute a go-around maneuver but was unable to regain control of the airplane. The airplane slid off the left side of the runway into a ditch resulting in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4278B](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4278B-2024-05-11), registration cancelled 2024-05-11, S/N 20055C, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE MX7 (180A) - Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180a) (registry code 5460186) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-C4F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-c4f) (registry code 41591, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20055C - Year built: 2000 - Airframe hours: 653.3 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 11, 2022 - Departed: MUL, Moultrie, GA - Destination: Same as departure - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: VDF, Tampa Executive Airport, runway 18, 3,219 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 13, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 902 total, 43 in this make and model, 791 as pilot in command, 18 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: VDF - METAR: KVDF 251515Z AUTO 10006KT 10SM BKN035 BKN041 OVC055 28/19 A3017 RMK AO2 ## 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 20220425006539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220425006539A), Apr 25, 2022: Maule MX-7-180A, Tampa, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot was on an flight plan from spence airport (kmul) moultrie, Georgia to Tampa executive airport (kvdf) Tampa, Florida. Pilot changed to the CTAF frequency… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 13, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105002. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15081171&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Signed_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15080806&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convo%20w%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photographs (item 3, PDF, 7 pages, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15081529&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20ERA22LA205-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.