# NTSB SEA05LA024: Maule MX-7-235, N420CD, Hermiston, OR, December 4, 2004

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 4, 2004, 15:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Hermiston, OR
- Coordinates: 45.566665, -119.415275
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.5667&lon=-119.4153&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA-FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 60705
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA024
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60705/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA024

## Probable cause

An improper flare and descent rate during landing resulting in a hard landing.

## Analysis

The pilot reported that after flying around the local area for about one hour, he decided to land in an open field.  The pilot reported that he set-up a normal approach to land over a 30 to 40 foot obstacle.  After clearing the obstacle, he lowered the nose of the aircraft, then flared for the landing.  The flare did not adequately arrest the descent rate and the aircraft touched down hard subsequently collapsing both main landing gear.  The aircraft slid on its belly for about 100 to 150 feet before coming to rest.

## Factual narrative

On December 4, 2004, about 1500 Pacific standard time, a Maule MX-7-235, N420CD, registered to and flown by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, landed hard in an open field about 8 miles south of Hermiston, Oregon, and collapsed the landing gear.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight departed from Hermiston, about one hour prior to the accident.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that after flying around the local area for about one hour, he decided to land in an open field on his parents property.  The pilot reported that he set-up a normal approach to land over a 30 to 40 foot obstacle.  After clearing the obstacle, he lowered the nose of the aircraft, then flared for the landing.  The flare did not adequately arrest the descent rate and the aircraft touched down hard subsequently collapsing both main landing gear.  The aircraft slid on its belly for about 100 to 150 feet before coming to rest.

The pilot reported that the landing surface was an open cow pasture approximately 1,200 feet in length.  The surface was smooth and firm.  The wind was light and variable with an unrestricted visibility.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing
  - proper descent rate - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - open field
  - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N420CD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N420CD), registered now, S/N 10064C (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: 10064C
- Airframe hours: 2150
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Edward A. Pedro
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 20, 2003, 170 hours before
- Departed: HRI, Hermiston, OR
- Destination: HRI, Hermiston, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review February 19, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,150 total, 89 in this make and model, 1,058 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.63 inHg
- Observed at: HRI, 8 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 20041204030209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041204030209A), Dec 4, 2004: Maule MX7235, Hermiston, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing attempt to an unimproved landing site, the pilot allowed the aircraft to develop a high sink rate. The aircraft touched down hard and both…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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