# NTSB FTW93LA199: Maule MX-7-180, N4UM, Eufaula, OK, June 29, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1993, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC)
- Place: Eufaula, OK
- Coordinates: 35.289089, -95.579917 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2891&lon=-95.5799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18782
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA199
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18782/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA199

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE 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 - in flight, go-around (vfr)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - 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](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4UM-2013-03-19), registration cancelled 2013-03-19, S/N 11063C, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MX-7-180
- Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180) (registry code 5470205) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11063C
- Airframe hours: 204
- Engines: 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

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; 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 (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930629020869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930629020869A), Jun 29, 1993: Maule MX7180, Eufaula, OK, Substantial damage. Made low pass in gusty crosswind, then elected go around, left wing low and climbing downwind turn. Struck trees.

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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