# NTSB GAA17CA168: Maule MX7, N600XX, Live Oak, CA, March 1, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 1, 2017, 15:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Live Oak, CA - Coordinates: 39.280834, -121.720001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2808&lon=-121.7200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94805 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94805/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94805 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA168 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain a stabilized approach and his subsequent incorrect brake application during the landing roll, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while on base for his private grass airstrip, he noticed he was high, so he added flaps to increase his descent. He added that, on final, the airspeed was a little fast and during the landing, he flared the airplane "a little high." After touchdown, the pilot applied the brakes, but the airplane did not respond, so he applied "a little more brake"; subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation that he should have performed a go-around instead of attempting to "salvage the landing." ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that while on base for his private grass airstrip, he noticed he was high, so he added flaps to increase his descent. He reported that on final the airspeed was a little fast and during the landing, he flared the airplane "a little high". The pilot further reported that after touchdown, he applied the brakes, but the airplane did not respond, so he applied "a little more brake"; subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation that he should have performed a go-around instead of attempting to "salvage the landing". ## Aircraft - Registration: [N600XX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N600XX-2017-05-09), registration cancelled 2017-05-09, S/N 20037C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE MX7 (180A) - Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180a) (registry code 5460186) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 20037C - Year built: 1995 - Airframe hours: 1162.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 2016 - Departed: SMF, SACRAMENTO, CA - Destination: N/A, Live Oak, CA - Airport: N/A, Private Airstrip, runway N, 1,200 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Handheld GPS, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: minor; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 16, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 968 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.35 inHg - Observed at: KMYV, 13 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 20170301001829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170301001829A), Mar 1, 2017: Maule MX-7-180A, Live Oak, CA, Substantial damage. Upon landing at it's home base Grass strip, N600XX prop struck the ground and flipped over. 04/05/2017 - Since the damage to the aircraft was evaluated by the… ## Other investigations on N600XX (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 LAX97LA246](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA246), Jul 21, 1997: Maule MX-7-180A (N600XX), Long Beach, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control during rollout. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 23, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94805. 570 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 342 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458605&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 228 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450187&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%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.