# NTSB ERA23LA012: Maule MX-7-160, N41510, Northville, NY, October 9, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 9, 2022, 11:44 local (15:44 UTC)
- Place: Northville, NY · Sacandaga Lake
- Coordinates: 43.190151, -74.170631 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1902&lon=-74.1706&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 2 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): 106088
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106088/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106088
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA012

## Probable cause

The pilot's decision to depart from an area of wet sand, which resulted in a nose over during the attempted takeoff.

## Findings

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

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=5470203), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface: soft surface](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-160, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md?model=5470203), [All aircraft, 264 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03023020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); 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 pilot reported that, while attempting to depart from a lakeside beach, the tailwheel-equipped airplane encountered an unexpected wind gust during the ground roll. The airplane crossed over a water channel and the main landing gear sank into wet sand. The airplane then nosed-over into the lake, resulting in substantial damage to the wings and tail. The pilot reported that there were no preaccidcent mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N41510](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N41510), registered now, S/N 34001C, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MX-7-160
- Registry model: [Maule MX-7-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-160) (registry code 5470203) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 34001C
- Year built: 1999
- Airframe hours: 1273.2
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Clemente Motor Inc
- Registered owner: Clemente Motor Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 8, 2022, 18.5 hours before
- Destination: ALB, Albany, NY
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 20, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,600 total, 271 in this make and model, 5,450 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observed at: GFL, 26 nm away
- METAR: KGFL 091553Z AUTO 20010KT 10SM CLR 12/04 A3002 RMK AO2 SLP170 T01220039

## 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 20221009018399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20221009018399A), Oct 9, 2022: Maule MX-7-160, Northampton, NY, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted to depart sand bar located on lake. The sand bar was approximately 1000FT in length followed by a channel of water. Attempted departure…

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 6, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106088. 5.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 13 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14816568&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=scan_20221116184323-comp_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 132 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14816182&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20Pilot_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Reports from state agencies - new york state (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 239 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14816192&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Plane_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14816679&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-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.

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