# NTSB FTW92LA052: Maule M-7-235, N81818, Cottonport, LA, December 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 31, 1991, 15:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Cottonport, LA
- Coordinates: 30.97915, -92.049949 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9792&lon=-92.0499&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18430
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW92LA052
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18430/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW92LA052

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR WIND CONDITIONS. A FACTOR WAS THE CROSSWIND.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT WAS PRACTICING LANDINGS AND ON THE FIFTH LANDING A GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT CAUSED THE RIGHT WING TO LIFT AND THE AIRPLANE DRIFTED LEFT AND GROUND LOOPED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81818](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81818-2019-04-16), registration cancelled 2019-04-16, S/N 4047C, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-7-235
- Registry model: [Maule M-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235) (registry code 5470208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4047C
- Airframe hours: 350
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J1ASD 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Max Merrick
- Registered owner: Max Merrick
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1990, 60 hours before
- Airport: NONE, Private, runway 18, 4,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 29 total, 29 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19911231057969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911231057969A), Dec 31, 1991: Maule M7235, Cottonport, LA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing in a crosswind. Ground looped the tail wheel aircraft.

## Other investigations on N81818 (1)

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.

- [NTSB GAA18CA006](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA006), Oct 7, 2017: Maule M 7 (N81818), Manokatak, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions.

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.