# NTSB MIA92LA147: Maule MX-7-180, N148DP, Okeechobee, FL, July 7, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1992, 09:39 local (13:39 UTC)
- Place: Okeechobee, FL
- Coordinates: 27.240945, -80.820167 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.2409&lon=-80.8202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33107
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33107/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA147

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND OF N148DP TO OBTAIN NOTAM INFORMATION CONCERNING MILITARY ROUTES ALONG HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT, RESULTING IN HIS ENCOUNTER WITH A FLIGHT OF F16 AIRCRAFT WHO WERE OPERATING ON A MILITARY ROUTE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Near collision between aircraft, cruise
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - notams - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Vortex turbulence encountered, cruise

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF N148DP FILED A VFR FLIGHT PLAN, BUT DID NOT OBTAIN NOTAM INFORMATION FOR HIS ROUTE OF FLIGHT. EN ROUTE HE REPORTED TO THE AIR FORCE AVON PARK OPERATIONS THAT HE INTENDED TO PASS TO THE SOUTH OF THE RESTRICTED AREA AT AVON PARK. WHILE IN CRUISE FLIGHT AT 1,400 FEET OVER INSTRUMENT ROUTE 34 (IR 34), N148DP ENCOUNTERED A FLIGHT OF FOUR F16 AIRCRAFT FLYING AT 1,500 FEET AT 500 KNOTS. THE F16 AIRCRAFT WERE IN WIDE FORMATION AND NONE OF THE AIRCRAFT HAD RADAR CONTACT WITH N148DP. THE LEAD AIRCRAFT PERFORMED A 6 'G' PULL UP TO AVOID COLLISION WITH N148DP. N148DP ENCOUNTERED WAKE TURBULENCE FROM THE F16 AND SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE STRUCTURE. THE PILOT OF N148DP CONTINUED TO THE DESTINATION AND LANDED UNEVENTFULLY. THE F16 FLIGHT CONTINUED THE MISSION AND RETURNED TO BASE UNEVENTFULLY. THE IR 34 ROUTE WAS ON A NOTICE TO AIRMAN (NOTAM) AS BEING ACTIVE AT THE TIME OF THE OCCURRENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N148DP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N148DP), registered now, S/N 11015C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MX-7-180
- Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180) (registry code 5470205) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11015C
- Airframe hours: 758
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Scruggs, Debra C.
- Registered owner: Scruggs, Debra C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 28, 1992, 14 hours before
- Departed: TPF, TAMPA, FL
- Destination: SUA, STUART, FL
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 6,000 total, 1,857 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FPR, 44 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 19920707023939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920707023939A), Jul 7, 1992: Maule MX7180, Okeechobee, FL, Substantial damage. Near miss by military jet caused pilot injury and structural damage from jet wake.NOTAMS on area avialable to pilot

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.

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