# NTSB GAA18CA510: Maule MX7, N524TR, Post Mills, VT, August 24, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 24, 2018, 14:58 local (18:58 UTC) - Place: Post Mills, VT - Coordinates: 43.883609, -72.251945 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.8836&lon=-72.2519&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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): 98162 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA510 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98162/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98162 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA510 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent impact with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=5460186), [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-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-flare/touchdown: 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-flare/touchdown: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5460186), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-quipped airplane reported that, during landing on a grass strip, the airplane bounced, and he subsequently performed a successful go-around. On the second landing attempt, shortly after touchdown, the airplane bounced again and instead of going around, he "decided to try to save the landing." Shortly after the airplane stopped bouncing, the airplane veered left, exited the runway to the left, and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 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, during landing on a grass strip, the airplane bounced and he performed a successful but "scary" go-around. On the second landing attempt, shortly after touchdown, the airplane bounced again and instead of going around, he "decided to try to save the landing." Shortly after the airplane stopped bouncing, the airplane veered left, exited the runway to the left, and impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was 270° at 7 knots. An automated weather observation station located on the airport about 16 NM away, reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was calm. The pilot landed the airplane on runway 22. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N524TR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N524TR-2019-12-16), registration cancelled 2019-12-16, S/N 20022C (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: 20022C - Airframe hours: 596 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 7, 2018 - Departed: POU, Poughkeepsie, NY - Destination: 2B9, Post Mills, VT - Airport: 2B9, Post Mills, runway 22, 2,900 × 80 ft - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 234 total, 57 in this make and model, 89 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 42 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: KLEB, 16 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 20180824012259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180824012259A), Aug 24, 2018: Maule MX-7-180A, Post Mills, VT, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed kpou to (2B9) Post Mills, VT. The pilot stated that upon landing the aircraft bounced and went off the runway which resulted in the aircraft… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 28, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98162. 343 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 223 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477215&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 120 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477216&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.