Maule MXT-7 N97SS

Summary

On 22 March 1997 at about 15:40 local time, a Maule MXT-7 registered N97SS was involved in an accident near Hampton, Georgia, 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

22 March 1997 at 15:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Hampton, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Clayton County (4A7)

Coordinates

33.3805, -84.2808

Aircraft

Maule MXT-7

Registration

N97SS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL97LA051

Nobody was injured.

inadequate compensation for the wind conditions by the pilot, and his failure to maintain directional control of the airplane. The crosswind, the pilot's lack of experience in crosswind conditions, and the proximity of trees were related factors.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, he was landing on runway 24 when a gust of wind blew the airplane to the south of the runway and over the parallel taxiway. He attempted to land on the taxiway, but was buffeted by additional gusts that blew the airplane into trees south of the taxiway. Winds at the nearest reporting facility, Peachtree City, Georgia, were reported as 330 degrees at 8 knots with gusts to 15 knots. The pilot reported these same winds and moderate to severe turbulence. The wind velocity increased following the flight's departure, according to an FAA inspector, who visited the accident site. The pilot reported that he had about 31 flight hours in this make and model and that the airplane had about 22 hours of flight time, since manufacture. Investigation did not reveal a malfunction of the airframe or powerplant.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.