Maule MX-7-180A
Pittsfield, IL — July 30, 2010
Event Information
| Date | July 30, 2010 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN10CA452 |
| Event ID | 20100802X25131 |
| Location | Pittsfield, IL |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 39.63889, -90.77834 |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Maule |
| Model | MX-7-180A |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | IMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during a precautionary off-field landing that he performed after encountering deteriorating weather conditions.
Full Narrative
The non-instrument rated pilot was on a cross-country flight when he encountered deteriorating weather conditions. The pilot was receiving flight following from air traffic control, and after discussing the weather conditions he told the controller that he was going to divert to a nearby airport. While en route to the airport, the airplane encountered increasingly lower cloud ceilings and the pilot elected to perform a precautionary off-field landing onto a county road. During the landing rollout the right main landing gear departed the road and the airplane subsequently impacted a ditch alongside the road. The fuselage primary structure and both wings were substantially damaged during the accident. A nearby airport weather observation station reported scattered clouds between 700 and 1,500 feet, an overcast ceiling at 2,100 feet, and a 5 mile ground visibility with drizzle.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.