# NTSB GAA18CA489: Maule MX7, N7ZV, Valdez, AK, August 10, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 9, 2018, 16:00 local (Aug 10, 2018, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Valdez, AK - Coordinates: 61.760555, -147.080551 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.7606&lon=-147.0806&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 February 11, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98071 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA489 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98071/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98071 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA489 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain the proper airspeed during landing, which resulted in a bounced landing and subsequent nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/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) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: debris/dirt/foreign object](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 101 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022055/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); 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 he conducted a three-point landing on a sand bar and that the airplane bounced, the right main landing gear struck a rock, and the airplane then nosed over. The pilot added that he landed with "too much speed." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, he performed a 3-point landing on a sand bar, but the airplane bounced, and upon touchdown, the right main landing gear struck a rock, and the airplane nosed over and impacted the terrain. The pilot added that he landed with "too much speed." The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing lift strut. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7ZV](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7ZV), registered now, S/N 20018C (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: 20018C - Airframe hours: 1377 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 4, 2017 - Departed: 02AK, Willow, AK - Destination: Valdez, AK - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 17, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,080 total, 800 in this make and model, 912 as pilot in command, 38 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: PAAQ, 58 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 20180809010569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180809010569A), Aug 9, 2018: Maule MX-7-180A, Nelchina, AK, Substantial damage. Stakeholder stated the following ?He is familiar with attempted landing area ?Weather - clear and no wind ?Aircraft has 31-inch tires installed ?Approach was… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 16, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98071. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476771&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476772&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.