Maule MX-7-235 N5655P

Summary

On 7 March 2004 at about 23:36 local time, a Maule MX-7-235 registered N5655P was involved in an accident near Nashville, Tennessee, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 March 2004 at 23:36

Classification

Accident

Location

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Nashville International (BNA)

Coordinates

36.1244, -86.6781

Aircraft

Maule MX-7-235

Registration

N5655P

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Charleston → Nashville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL04LA080

Nobody was injured.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.