# NTSB NYC99LA135: Maule M7-235C, N126MC, Bennington, VT, May 29, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 1999, 07:30 local (11:30 UTC) - Place: Bennington, VT - Location: 42.8913° N, 73.2464° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at WILLIAM H MORSE STATE (DDH), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8913&lon=-73.2464&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46441 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA135 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46441/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA135 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate pre-flight briefing which resulted in control interference by the right front seat passenger. ## 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 - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - control interference, passenger (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run ## Analysis During the takeoff roll, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway centerline, and the pilot applied right rudder. The airplane then went towards the right side of the runway, and when the pilot attempted to apply left rudder, it would not depress. As the airplane departed the right side of the runway, the pilot observed that the right front passenger's right foot was extended onto the right rudder pedal. The airplane went into a ditch, and flipped over. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that in the future, his pre-flight preparation would include telling passengers to keep their hands and feet away from the controls. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions of the engine or airframe, which included the airplane's flight controls. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 1999, about 0730 eastern daylight time, a Maule M7-235C, N126MC, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the William H. Morse State Airport (DDH), Bennington, Vermont. The certificated private pilot and one passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said he flew to DDH to practice touch and go landings. The winds were calm and he used runway 31. After several uneventful touch and go landings, the pilot performed a full stop landing. He then back taxied on the runway for takeoff, with the intent of returning to ALB. The pilot further stated: "...Takeoff power was applied, the plane moved to the left of centerline; more right rudder was applied and the plane came hard right. I immediately attempted to apply left rudder but it wouldn't depress....As we exited the runway, I noted my passenger had extended his right foot using my right rudder for his brake...." The pilot pulled the power back; however, the airplane departed the right side of the runway, went into a ditch, and flipped over. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that in the future, his pre-flight preparation would include telling passengers to keep their hands and feet away from the controls. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions of the engine or airframe, which included the airplane's flight controls. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N126MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N126MC-2021-03-01), registration cancelled 2021-03-01, S/N 25027C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M7-235C - Registry model: [Maule M-7-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235c) (registry code 5460110) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 25027C - Airframe hours: 82 - Engines: Lycoming IO540 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Mattew J. Clemente - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: DDH - Destination: ALB, ALBANY, NY - Airport: DDH, William H. Morse State, runway 31, 3,704 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 200 total, 80 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DDH, 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 19990529046049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990529046049A), May 29, 1999: Maule M7235C, Bennington, VT, No damage. (-23) See attached narrative ## Other investigations on N126MC (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 ERA17LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17LA188), May 20, 2017: Maule M7 (N126MC), Colton, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilots' initiation of an uncoordinated right turn with the fuel selector positioned to the right main fuel tank, which had a low quantity of fuel in it and resulted in a total loss of engine… 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.