# NTSB WPR21LA051: Maule MX7, N721P, Moab, UT, November 12, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: November 12, 2020, 08:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Moab, UT - Coordinates: 38.1988, -109.7063 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1988&lon=-109.7063&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 102283 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR21LA051 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102283/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102283 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA051 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during takeoff from an unimproved airstrip, which resulted in a nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=5460190), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460190), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md?model=5460190), [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule MX-7-180AC, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=5460190), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he was departing to the north from an unimproved, backcountry airstrip with a light tailwind. During the takeoff ground roll, the tail rose and the airplane subsequently nosed over and impacted terrain. The right-wing lift struts and rudder sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there was no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N721P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N721P), registered now, S/N 33009C, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE MX7 (180AC) - Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180AC](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180ac) (registry code 5460190) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-360-series) (registry code 41575, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 33009C - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 1400 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-C4F 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2020, 35 hours before - Departed: Moab, UT - Destination: U64, Monti4cello, UT - Equipment: ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 4, 2020; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 468.8 total, 262.2 in this make and model, 391.2 as pilot in command, 28.9 in the last 90 days, 15.8 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: KBDG ## 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 20201112015619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20201112015619A), Nov 12, 2020: Maule MX-7-180AC, Moab, UT, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted an off field take-off in very uneven surface. Pilot stated that the aircraft bounced several times during attempted takeoff and prop hit the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102283. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11656853&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20051_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photo (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 166 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11657166&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20051-Rel.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.