# NTSB MIA08LA147: Maule MT-7-235, N142CP, Rome, GA, July 21, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2008, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Rome, GA - Coordinates: 34.350276, -85.154724 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3503&lon=-85.1547&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 68486 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA08LA147 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68486/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68486 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA08LA147 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MT-7-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=5460175), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/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 MT-7-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460175), [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-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MT-7-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=5460175), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis During the initial touchdown the nose gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the nose gear oleo strut was broken, and the firewall was buckled. Examination of the oleo strut by the National Transportation Safety Board materials laboratory revealed that all of the fractures were on a slant plane, and were consistent with overstress fracture. The fractures occurred under bending overstress. There was no indication of any pre-existing fatigue cracking or corrosion. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2008, at 1030 eastern daylight time, a Maule MT-7-235, N142CP, nosed over during landing roll at Richard B. Russell Airport (RMG), Rome, Georgia. The airplane was substantially damaged. The airline transport pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The airplane was registered to and operated by the Civil Air Patrol Incorporated, under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The flight departed from RMG the same day at 1015. The pilot stated that during the initial touchdown, the nose gear collapsed. He said that as the airplane slowed down, the propeller dug into the ground and the airplane stopped suddenly and nosed over inverted. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the nose gear oleo strut was broken, and the firewall was buckled. The nose gear oleo strut was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board materials laboratory for further examination. Examination of the oleo strut revealed that all of the fractures were on a slant plane, and were consistent with overstress fracture. There was no indication of any pre-existing fatigue cracking or corrosion. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N142CP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N142CP), registered now, S/N 18075C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE MT-7-235 - Registry model: [Maule MT-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mt-7-235) (registry code 5460175) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 18075C - Airframe hours: 950 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Glider tow, Part 91 - Registered owner: Civil Air Patrol Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 1, 2008, 90 hours before - Departed: RMG, ROME, GA - Airport: RMG, Richard B Russell, runway 07, 4,497 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 2,300 total, 500 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: RMG ## 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 20080721855109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080721855109A), Jul 21, 2008: Maule MT7235, Rome, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) Nose gear collapsed upon landing on grass strip just sw of runway 7 at rmb. Shortly after gear collapsed aircraft flipped over causing substantial damage. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 17, 2008, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=68486. 625 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 597 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40299018&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - NTSB-Metallurgist Examination Report (item 2, .PDF, 29 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40457261&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=NTSB-Metallurgist%20Examination%20Report-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.