Maule MX-7-180 N5663U

Summary

On 5 July 1996 at about 18:00 local time, a Maule MX-7-180 registered N5663U was involved in an accident near Newport, Oregon, 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

5 July 1996 at 18:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Newport, Oregon, United States

Nearest airport

Newport Municipal (ONP)

Coordinates

44.6610, -124.0110

Aircraft

Maule MX-7-180

Registration

N5663U

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Everett → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA96LA142

Nobody was injured.

the passenger's inadvertent activation of the aircraft's rudder, which resulted in a loss of directional control and collision with a tree during an attempted go-around (aborted landing).

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Just as the pilot began the landing flare, the passenger attempted to adjust his position in his seat. While trying to adjust his position, the passenger inadvertently depressed the rudder pedal and held it in that position. As the aircraft responded to the rudder deflection, the pilot attempted a go-around, but was unable to maintain control with the rudder remaining in the deflected position. The aircraft crashed into trees before the go-around was completed.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.