# NTSB NYC03CA152: Maule MX-7-235, N70LB, East Brady, PA, July 6, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 6, 2003, 10:39 local (14:39 UTC) - Place: East Brady, PA - Coordinates: 41.166667, -80.133331 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1667&lon=-80.1333&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57388 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03CA152 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57388/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03CA152 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment ## Analysis The pilot set up for a river landing by first circling the touchdown zone twice to check for obstacles, and waiting for boat traffic to clear. The pilot maintained an airspeed of about 75 knots during the approach, and slowed to an estimated 60 knots just above the water. During the touchdown, the airplane bounced, and the pilot added power to cushion the landing. The airplane touched down on the water on its left float, bounced onto its right float, then again on its left float. During the last bounce, the left strut impacted the fuselage, and the airplane came to rest on the shore of the river. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to both pontoons, both wings, the engine cowling, and the propeller. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On July 6, 2003, at 1039 eastern daylight time, a Maule MX-7-235 amphibian, N70LB, was substantially damaged while landing on the Allegheny River, in East Brady, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight which originated at Butler County Airport (BTP), Butler, Pennsylvania, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he set up for the river landing by first circling the touchdown zone twice to check for obstacles, and waiting for boat traffic to clear. He maintained an airspeed of about 75 knots during the approach, and slowed to an estimated 60 knots just above the water. During the touchdown, the airplane bounced, and the pilot added power to cushion the landing. The airplane touched down on the water on its left float, bounced onto its right float, and then again on its left float. During the last bounce, the left strut impacted the fuselage, and the airplane came to rest on the shore of the river. The pilot reported 651 hours of total flight experience, 30 of which were in make and model. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed substantial damage to both pontoons, both wings, the engine cowling, and the propeller. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the airplane. Weather reported at the Venango Regional Airport (FKL), Franklin, Pennsylvania, 25 miles northeast of the accident site, at 1035, included calm winds and unlimited visibility. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70LB](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N70LB), registered now, S/N 10010C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule MX-7-235 - Registry model: [Maule MX-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-235) (registry code 5470207) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10010C - Engines: Lycoming O-540 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Stephen Grabowski - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: BTP, Butler, PA - Destination: NONE, East Brady, PA - Airport: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 651 total, 30 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day ## 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 20030706013019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030706013019A), Jul 6, 2003: Maule MX7235, East Brady, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) On Sunday 7/6/2003 at approximately 1039ET, a Maule-amphibious aircraft landed on the allegheny river in East Brady, PA. The aircraft was landing to the… ## Other investigations on N70LB (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 NYC85LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC85LA194), Jul 11, 1985: Maule MX-7-235 (N70LB), Savoy, MA, substantial damage 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.