# NTSB WPR14CA254: Maule MX 7-235, N5665A, Port Orchard, WA, June 20, 2014

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 19, 2014, 17:34 local (Jun 20, 2014, 00:34 UTC)
- Place: Port Orchard, WA
- Coordinates: 47.465, -122.568336 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.4650&lon=-122.5683&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- NTSB case key (mKey): 89492
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA254
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89492/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89492
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA254

## Probable cause

The pilot's delayed remedial action and failure to maintain directional control.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that as he flew over the airstrip, winds were light in the area and the wind sock indicated 4-6 knots. He decided to land with full flaps. Immediately after touchdown the airplane collided with a rut which resulted in two bounces. The pilot added power and rudder control after the first bounce and then noticed the airplane was being pushed to the left by variable wind conditions. After the second bounce he noticed more significant wind conditions and aborted the landing by advancing full throttle. The pilot stated he " …got hit with a pretty substantial windshear…" The airplane collided with trees on the left side of the airstrip and nosed over. The fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that as he flew over the airstrip, winds were light in the area and the wind sock indicated 4-6 knots. He decided to land with full flaps. Immediately after touchdown the airplane collided with a rut which resulted in two bounces. The pilot added power and rudder control after the first bounce and then noticed the airplane was being pushed to the left by variable wind conditions. After the second bounce he noticed more significant wind conditions and aborted the landing by advancing full throttle. The pilot stated he " …got hit with a pretty substantial windshear…" The airplane collided with trees on the left side of the airstrip and nosed over. The fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5665A](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5665A-2015-06-26), registration cancelled 2015-06-26, S/N 10028C (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 10028C
- Airframe hours: 1700
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thompson James A
- Registered owner: Thompson James A
- Airworthiness certificate: Unknown
- Last inspection: Annual, May 25, 2014, 16 hours before
- Departed: OKH, OAK HARBOR, WA
- Destination: WN13, Port Orchard, WA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: WN13, Vaughan Ranch Airfield, runway 02, 1,850 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; military, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 29, 2013; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,072 total, 58 in this make and model, 1,142 as pilot in command, 73 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 14 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: KPWT, 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 20140619008849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140619008849A), Jun 19, 2014: Maule MX-7-235, Port Orchard, WA, Substantial damage. During the landing sequence while in ground effect a gust of wind caught N5665A and blew the aircraft into the trees along side the runway.

## Other investigations on N5665A (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 ANC91LA084](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC91LA084), Jun 29, 1991: Maule MX-7-235 (N5665A), Blair Lakes, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: WAS THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO ASSURE SUFFICIENT OBSTRUCTION CLEARANCE FOR HIS AIRPLANE DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE HIGH VEGETATION.

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 9, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89492. 3.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416221&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Photo 1 - Main Wreckage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 828 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416222&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Main%20Wreckage%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photo 2 - Wreckage and Tree Strikes (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 552 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40416223&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Wreckage%20and%20Tree%20Strikes%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.

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