# NTSB WPR15CA006: Maule MX 7-235, N11ZA, Big Creek, ID, October 8, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 8, 2014, 12:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Big Creek, ID - Coordinates: 45.150001, -115.071388 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1500&lon=-115.0714&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 90231 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR15CA006 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90231/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90231 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR15CA006 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while on final approach with shifting wind conditions. ## 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) - [Wind: sudden wind shift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 114 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: yaw control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/cases.md?model=5470207), [All aircraft, 149 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062024/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) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: 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) ## Analysis The pilot stated that when on short final the airplane encountered a sudden downdraft or slight wind shear, which caused the left wing to dip and contact the ground. Following the wing tip dip the airplane yawed left and the main landing gear touched down and collapsed. The resulting damage to the airplane was the right wing tip, left wing, left wing lift strut, and right main landing gear. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that when on short final the airplane encountered a sudden downdraft or slight wind shear, which caused the left wing to dip and contact the ground. Following the wing tip dip the airplane yawed left and the main landing gear touched down and collapsed. The resulting damage to the airplane was the right wing tip, left wing, left wing lift strut, and right main landing gear. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11ZA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11ZA), registered now, S/N 10005C, built 1985 (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) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10005C - Year built: 1985 - Airframe hours: 2520 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mccrea Ross W - Registered owner: Mccrea Ross W - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 11, 2014 - Departed: 85U, Soldier Bar USF, ID - Destination: None, Big Creek, ID - Airport: None, Dewey Moore, runway 28, 800 × 35 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Onboard weather, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,066 total, 283 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KMYL, 36 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 20141008018499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20141008018499A), Oct 8, 2014: Maule MX-7-235, Big Creek, ID, Substantial damage. Just proir to touch down, the left wing dipped and contacted the ground. The aircraft wheels hit on the right side. The aircraft came to rest on the wheels. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 25, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90231. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419454&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Aft View of Airplane (item 2, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Aft%20View%20of%20Airplane-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Right Side of Airplane (item 3, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40419456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Right%20Side%20of%20Airplane-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.