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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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March 7, 2004 · Maule MX-7-235 · N5655P

Nashville, TN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 7, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Nashville, TN
Aircraft
Maule MX-7-235
Tail Number
N5655P
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL04LA080

According to the pilot, during the landing flare on runway 31, a strong gust of wind from the left lifted the airplane and the pilot was unable to maintain control and landed hard on the right main landing gear and ground looped. Examination of the airplane revealed the right wing assembly, fuselage, and right main strut was buckled. No flight control or mechanical anomalies were reported by the pilot prior to the accident. Review of the weather conditions for Nashville International Airport at 1744 reported winds at 300 degrees, 17 knots gusting to 25 knots. Review of the Maule MX-7-235 Airplane Flight Manual, Normal Flight Procedures, section 3.3-F: Crosswind Landings & Takeoffs, states: Maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 12 knots (14 mph) and flap extension should be limited to 0-degrees (one notch) or -7 degrees with such crosswind or higher. 14 mph is the maximum demonstrated for certification of the airplane and is not considered limiting with flaps at 0-degrees.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind and his failure to maintain aircraft control which resulted in a hard landing. The pilot's decision to land in wind conditions that exceeded the demonstrated crosswind component, wind gusts, and a crosswind were contributing factors.

Full Narrative

On March 7, 2004, at 1736 central standard time, a Maule M-7, N5655P registered to and operated by a commercial pilot ground looped at Nashville International Airport, Nashville, Tennessee. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with VFR flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the commercial pilot and pilot rated passenger were uninjured. The flight departed Yeager Airport, Charleston, West Virginia, on March 7, 2004 at 1530 eastern standard time. According to the pilot, during the final approach to land "a significant amount of left aileron was used to correct for the left crosswind component of wind at the time." During the landing flare on runway 31, a strong gust of wind from the left lifted the airplane. The pilot was unable to maintain control and landed hard on the right main landing gear and ground looped. No flight control or mechanical anomalies were reported by the pilot prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed, the right wing assembly, fuselage, and right main strut was buckled. Review of the weather conditions for Nashville International Airport at 1744 reported winds at 300 degrees,17 knots and gusting to 25 knots. Review of the Maule MX-7-235; Airplane Flight Manual, Normal Flight Procedures, section 3.3-F: Crosswind Landings & Takeoffs, states: Maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 12 knots (14 mph) and flap extension should be limited to 0-degrees (one notch) or -7 degrees with such crosswind or higher. 14 mph is the maximum demonstrated for certification of the airplane and is not considered limiting with flaps at 0-degrees.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:36 CST
Nearest AirportNashville International (0nm N)
Runway310
Runway Length11030 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledVFR
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftMaule MX-7-235
Tail NumberN5655P
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO540W1A5D · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind300° @ 17 kt, gusting 25 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 45 C
Altimeter30.13 inHg
Observation Time23:44
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data