# NTSB LAX07CA164: Maule MXT-7-180A, N10484, Red Lodge, MT, May 12, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 12, 2007, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Red Lodge, MT - Coordinates: 45.187221, -109.267219 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1872&lon=-109.2672&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 65778 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX07CA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/65778/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA164 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty crosswind conditions and failure to maintain proper runway alignment that resulted in dragging a wing and ground looping. Also causal was the pilot's delayed decision to abort the landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - rough/uneven ## Analysis The airplane encountered a crosswind gust, drifted off the runway, dragged a wing, and ground looped during the pilot's attempted landing. The pilot said that while on short final to the active runway, the airplane encountered a wind shear and crosswind gusts. The airplane descended rapidly and the pilot added full engine power in an attempt to abort the landing. The airplane drifted to the right of the runway centerline and he realized that it would not be able to achieve the performance necessary to climb out. The pilot retarded the throttle to idle and elected to land. The right wing contacted uneven terrain adjacent to the runway and the airplane ground looped. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Factual narrative The airplane encountered a wind gust and ground looped during the pilot's attempted landing. In a written statement, the pilot reported that prior to landing at the destination airport, he received the automated weather information. It reported winds were at 11 knots gusting to 17 knots. While on short final to the active runway, the airplane encountered a wind shear and crosswind gusts. The airplane descended rapidly and the pilot added full engine power in an attempt to abort the landing. The airplane drifted to the right of the runway centerline and he realized that it would not be able to achieve the performance necessary to climb out. The pilot retarded the throttle to idle and elected to land. The right wing contacted uneven terrain adjacent to the runway; the airplane ground looped. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. The left and right wing sustained damage during the accident sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N10484](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10484-2014-05-28), registration cancelled 2014-05-28, S/N 21037C, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule MXT-7-180A - Registry model: [Maule MXT-7-180A](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mxt-7-180a) (registry code 5460187) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-C1F](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-c1f) (registry code 41573, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 21037C - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C1F reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: LAR, Laramie, WY - Destination: RED, Red Lodge, MT - Airport: RED, Red Lodge Airport, runway 16, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 1,115 total, 228 in this make and model, 107 in the last 90 days, 68 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 11 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20070512006559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070512006559A), May 12, 2007: Maule MXT7180A, Red Lodge, MT, Substantial damage. (-23) On may 12, 2007, at 1245 mountain daylight time (MDT), a Maule MXT-7-180A, N10484, registered to ace flying, LLC and piloted by the owner, [privacy data… 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.