# NTSB GAA15CA074: Maule MX 7-180C, N567HW, Sharps Chapel, TN, May 16, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 16, 2015, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Sharps Chapel, TN - Coordinates: 36.329444, -83.825553 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3294&lon=-83.8256&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91185 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA074 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91185/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91185 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA074 ## Probable cause Collision with an obstacle during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent runway excursion and tree strike. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460189), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md?model=5460189), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=5460189), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180C, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460189), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5460189), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180C, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460189), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during the landing roll on his first landing to his newly constructed airfield, the airplane's left main wheel came in contact with "something" and bounced in the air. The airplane veered to the left, the left wing tip struck a branch, continued to veer to the left and impacted a tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the landing roll on his first landing to his newly constructed airfield; the airplane's left main wheel came in contact with "something" and bounced in the air. The airplane veered to the left, the left wing tip struck a branch, continued to veer to the left and impacted a tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing spar. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N567HW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N567HW), registered now, S/N 28019C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE MX 7-180C (180C) - Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180c) (registry code 5460189) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 28019C - Year built: 2003 - Airframe hours: 809 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-CIF 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Billinger William C - Registered owner: Billinger William C - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 2015 - Departed: 3A2, NEW TAZEWELL, TN - Destination: UNKN, Sharps Chapel, TN - Airport: UNKN, Old Valley Airport, runway 26, 1,570 × 140 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 9, 2014; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 274 total, 56 in this make and model, 179 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: K1A6, 17 nm away ## 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 20150516007399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150516007399A), May 16, 2015: Maule MX-7-180C, Sharps Chapel, TN, Substantial damage. Pilot owns a grass area he calls a landing strip. The landing strip is 1580 feet long with 75 foot trees at one end. Approximately three quarters of this strip… ## Other investigations on N567HW (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 ERA12CA168](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA168), Oct 12, 2011: Maule MX-7-180C (N567HW), Zelienople, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot did not maintain directional control during landing. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 30, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91185. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428729&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Left Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 825 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428730&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Left%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Airplane (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 876 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428731&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Airplane%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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. --- 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.