FTW93LA199

NTSB accident investigation · Maule MX-7-180 · Eufaula, OK · June 29, 1993

Accident · Serious injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
June 29, 1993, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC)
Place
Eufaula, OK
Injuries
1 serious
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Approach
Aircraft
N4UMMaule MX-7-180
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report November 3, 1993
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19930629020869A
Case key
18782

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

The pilots improper compensation for the wind conditions. A factor was the crosswind

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - in flightGo-around (vfr)
Proper alignment - not maintainedPilot in command
Weather condition - crosswindFactor
Compensation for wind conditions - improperPilot in commandCause
In flight collision with objectDescent - uncontrolled
In flight collision with terrain/waterDescent - uncontrolled

Analysis

The airplane was observed during the approach at approximately 50 feet above the ground to be flying back and forth across the approach path. At approximately ten feet above the ground, witnesses stated that the pilot added full power to abort the landing. The airplane made a left turn, climbed approximately 25 feet, and impacted trees and terrain with a left wing and nose down attitude. Winds were reported to be from the southwest gusting to 25 knots

Factual narrative

On June 29, 1993, at approximately 1520 central daylight time, a Maule MX 7 180, N4UM, sustained substantial damage near Eufaula, Oklahoma, when it impacted trees and terrain following a loss of control in gusting crosswind conditions during the landing go around. The private pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local personal flight.

Witnesses reported to the Oklahoma State Park Rangers the following information. The airplane was observed during the approach to runway 18 at Fountainhead Park at approximately 50 feet above the ground to be flying back and forth across the approach path. With the airplane approximately ten feet above the ground, the pilot added full power to abort the landing. The airplane veered to the left with the left wing low. Subsequently during a climbing left turn at approximately 25 feet above the ground, the airplane impacted trees and terrain with a left wing low and nose down attitude. Southwest winds gusting to 25 knots were reported by the witnesses and Park Rangers.

The airplane was released to the owner following the investigation.

Aircraft

Registration
N4UM
Reported as
Maule MX-7-180
Category
Airplane
Serial number
11063C
Airframe hours
204
Engine
Lycoming O-360-C1F, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Cochran, John P.
Registered owner
Cochran, John P.
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
Annual · April 1, 1993 · 2 hours before
Departed
0F7
Destination
0F7
Airport
F07 · Fountainhead Park, runway 18, 3,000 × 50 ft, asphalt

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
78
Certificate
Private
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Left
Flight hours
2,000 total · 2,000 in this make and model

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
215° at 15 knots, gusting 25
Visibility
15 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
6,000 ft broken
Temperature
91 °F, dew point -0 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.