# NTSB FTW96LA218: Maule MX-7-160, N35TX, Belcher, LA, May 18, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 18, 1996, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Belcher, LA - Coordinates: 32.750152, -93.82994 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7502&lon=-93.8299&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report December 23, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19843 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA218 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19843/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA218 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control in flight. A factor was the gusty wind. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The airplane was landing at a private airfield on a runway facing the east. The pilot reported he flew the airplane in a 'right hand traffic pattern in order to watch the two windsocks south of the runway and to make sure the tractor that was mowing nearby would remain clear of the runway.' The airplane was on final, with a right cross wind, when the following sequence of events occurred. The pilot stated, 'the aircraft drifted to the north, but I corrected it back, when suddenly a strong gust blew the plane north of the runway. The right wing dropped quickly while we continued to drift left as I added power to execute another go around. The plane continued to drop right wing low, despite my efforts to avoid hitting the ground. The engine accelerated normally, but we struck the ground off to the left of the runway, right wing low.' The airplane came to rest on a heading of approximately 260 degrees on the north side of the runway. ## Factual narrative On May 18, 1996, at 1630 central daylight time, a Maule MX-7-160, N35TX, was substantially damaged following a loss of control during a landing approach near Belcher, Louisiana. The airline transport rated pilot and his passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private owner under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated from a private airfield near Garland, Arkansas, at 1550. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross country flight and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported to the investigator-in-charge and in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that he was landing the airplane at a private airstrip on runway 09. He reported that he flew the airplane in a "right hand traffic pattern in order to watch the two windsocks south of the runway and to make sure the tractor that was mowing nearby would remain clear of the runway." The airplane was on final, with a right cross wind, when the following sequence of events occurred. The pilot stated, "the aircraft drifted to the north, but I corrected it back, when suddenly a strong gust blew the plane north of the runway. The right wing dropped quickly while we continued to drift left as I added power to execute another go around. The plane continued to drop right wing low, despite my efforts to avoid hitting the ground. The engine accelerated normally, but we struck the ground off to the left of the runway, right wing low." The airplane came to rest on a heading of approximately 260 degrees on the north side of the runway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N35TX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N35TX), registered now, S/N 19020C, built 1994 (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: 19020C - Airframe hours: 659 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Brian W. Bauries - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 20, 1995, 317 hours before - Departed: NONE, GARLAND, AR - Destination: NONE - Airport: NONE, Belcher Air Patch, runway 9, 2,700 × 180 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 7,862 total, 652 in this make and model, 6,002 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 5 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 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 19960518010779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960518010779A), May 18, 1996: Maule MX7160, Belcher, LA, Substantial damage. On landing, aircraft crashed into a field adjacent to the runway. (-23) the pilot stated as he rolled the aircraft out on final, he began using right wing low… 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.