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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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December 17, 1994 · Maule MX-7-235 · N101ZA

Heber City, UT

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 17, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (3 uninjured)
Location
Heber City, UT
Aircraft
Maule MX-7-235
Tail Number
N101ZA
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA95LA030

DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE AIRPLANE SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT TRIED TO CORRECT WITH LEFT RUDDER CONTROL; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH A SNOW BANK. THE AIRPLANE TRAVELLED THROUGH THE SNOW FOR SEVERAL MORE FEET BEFORE NOSING OVER. INSPECTION OF THE TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY REVEALED THAT A CONNECTION CLIP WAS SPRUNG TO THE OPEN POSITION WHICH RESULTED IN THE DISCONNECTION OF THE LEFT SIDE CABLE/SPRING. THIS CABLE/SPRING CONNECTS THE LOWER RUDDER TAIL STEERING HORN ARM AND THE CONTROL ARM ON TOP OF THE TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

NTSB Probable Cause

AN OPEN CONNECTION CLIP. A FACTOR TO THE ACCIDENT WAS A LOCKED TAIL WHEEL ASSEMBLY.

Full Narrative

On December 17, 1994, at 1440 mountain standard time, the pilot of a Maule MX-7-235, N101ZA, was unable to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing roll and impacted a snow bank at the Heber City Airport, Heber City, Utah. The airplane was substantially damaged. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight departed Salt Lake City, Utah, on December 17, 1994, at 1330, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. In a written statement, the pilot reported that during the first touch-and-go, the airplane landed in a three point attitude approximately 10 knots above stall speed. The pilot noted "some tail wheel shimmy, but not unusual from shimmy experience on previous landings during other flights." The airplane took off and the pilot stated that during the second touch-and-go, the airplane touched down at 50 knots and rolled approximately 200 feet when the airplane suddenly veered to the right. The pilot tried to correct with left rudder control, however, the airplane continued to the right and collided with a snow bank along side the runway. The airplane travelled several feet in the snow before nosing over. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Salt Lake City, Utah, Flight Standards District Office, inspected the tail wheel assembly and found that the left side cable/spring which connects the lower rudder tail steering horn arm and the control arm on top of the tail wheel assembly was disconnected. A connection clip was found sprung to the open position which resulted in the disconnection of the cable/spring.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:40 MST
Nearest AirportHeber City (0nm)
Runway21
Runway Length6900 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMaule MX-7-235
Tail NumberN101ZA
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-JIA5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (3 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured3
Total3
Crew 1Age 39 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point37 C / 28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data