# NTSB MIA97LA244: Maule M-7-235, N5662S, Louisville, MS, September 14, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 14, 1997, 14:15 local (19:15 UTC) - Place: Louisville, MS - Coordinates: 33.119457, -89.050643 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1195&lon=-89.0506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 2, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38335 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA244 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38335/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA244 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to assure that the rudder trim was properly set for takeoff and his delay in aborting the takeoff when the airplane yawed to the left during the early portion of the takeoff roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - rudder trim - improper, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll after the tail was raised, the airplane 'darted' to the left. He applied full right rudder but continued the takeoff. The airplane traveled off the left side of the runway, became airborne momentarily, then the left wing collided with trees 10-12 feet agl. The pilot then attempted to return to the runway but the airplane descended, impacted the runway edge with the left main landing gear which caused the left wheel to separate. The airplane then traveled across the runway off the right side into a 25-foot deep ditch and came to rest. Post crash examination of the cockpit by the pilot revealed that the right rudder trim was disengaged from its normal fully engaged position for takeoff. ## Factual narrative On September 14, 1997, about 1415 central daylight time, a Maule Aerospace Technology Corporation M-7-235, N5662S, registered to the Sprint Auction Company, Inc., experienced a loss of control during the takeoff roll at the Louisville Winston County Airport, Louisville, Mississippi. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 business flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot and one passenger were not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll after the tailwheel was raised, the airplane "darted" to the left. He applied full right rudder input but continued the takeoff. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, became airborne momentarily, and while maneuvering toward the runway, the left main landing gear contacted the runway and the wheel separated. He then banked the airplane to the left to align the airplane with the runway but the left wing tip contacted the runway. The airplane traveled across the runway, rotated 180 degrees about the vertical axis, and came to rest in a 25-foot deep embankment. He further stated that the wind was not a factor in the accident. Postcrash examination of the cockpit by the pilot revealed that the right rudder trim "T" handle was all the way in. Review of a placard beneath the handle revealed in part "pull turn right to...." The pilot stated that the normal position of the trim "T" handle when he is flying the airplane on takeoff is fully extended, which indicates full nose right trim. Examination of the accident site by an FAA inspector revealed that off the left side of the runway, trees were damaged about 10-12 feet above ground level. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5662S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5662S-2003-09-19), registration cancelled 2003-09-19, S/N 4025C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-7-235 - Registry model: [Maule M-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235) (registry code 5470208) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4025C - Airframe hours: 592 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Registered owner: Sprint Auction Company, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 23, 1997, 12 hours before - Departed: LMS - Destination: MS96, PHILADELPHIA, MS - Airport: LMS, Louisville Winston County, runway 17, 4,515 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,785 total, 118 in this make and model, 3,304 as pilot in command, 111 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 4 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GTR, 30 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 19970914026589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970914026589A), Sep 14, 1997: Maule M7235, Louisville, MS, Substantial damage. Veered off runway as tail came up. Over controlled became airborne into trees and ditch. Trim t handle improper set (-23) during take off from lms, as the tail… ## Other investigations on N5662S (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC03LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC03LA003), Oct 17, 2002: Maule M-7-235 (N5662S), Wrangell, AK, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate weather evaluation, his continued flight into instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and his failure to maintain adequate altitude/clearance from terrain/water, which… 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.