# NTSB WPR14CA048: Maule MX 7-235, N88CR, San Ynez, CA, November 11, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 11, 2013, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: San Ynez, CA - Coordinates: 34.637779, -119.6175 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6378&lon=-119.6175&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88422 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA048 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88422/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88422 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA048 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain terrain clearance while maneuvering at low altitude in hilly terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he departed from a remote private air strip and proceeded along a geological drainage ravine for 3 miles, then turned up a side canyon into rising terrain. As the airplane approached a saddle in the terrain the pilot spotted 2 black bears. The pilot entered a descent and executed a right turn to orbit the bears. After a 360-degree turn he realized that the airplane had descended too low and was approaching rising terrain. The airplane's slow airspeed and angle of bank did not allow for recovery and the airplane subsequently collided with the terrain and nosed over. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he departed from a remote private air strip and proceeded along a geological drainage ravine for 3 miles, then turned up a side canyon into rising terrain. As the airplane approached a saddle in the terrain the pilot spotted 2 black bears. The pilot entered a descent and executed a right turn to orbit the bears. After a 360-degree turn he realized that the airplane had descended too low and was approaching rising terrain. The airplane's slow airspeed and angle of bank did not allow for recovery and the airplane subsequently collided with the terrain and nosed over. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N88CR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N88CR-2018-03-08), registration cancelled 2018-03-08, S/N 4051C, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE MX 7-235 (235) - Registry model: [Maule MX-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-235) (registry code 5470207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-540-J1A5D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-540-j1a5d) (registry code 42354, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 4051C - Year built: 1988 - Airframe hours: 1530 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 2012 - Departed: Santa Ynez, CA - Destination: KIZA, Santa Ynez, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 25, 2012; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 327 total, 142 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KIZA, 23 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 20131111022789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131111022789A), Nov 11, 2013: Maule MX-7-235, Santa Barbara, CA, Substantial damage. The pilot departed a private airstrip located in the mountains approximately 23NM east of Santa ynez airport to return to Santa ynez airport, in Santa ynez,… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 18, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88422. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405639&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Accident on-scene photo (item 2, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40405724&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Accident%20on-scene%20photo-Master.PDF 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.