Maule MXT-7 accident near Hampton, Georgia, March 22, 1997
On March 22, 1997 at about 3:40 pm local time, a Maule MXT-7, registered N97SS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hampton, Georgia (Clayton County airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
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.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 22, 1997 · about 3:40 pm local time
- Place
- Hampton, Georgia · Clayton County · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule MXT-7 · all MXT-7s on the register
- Registration
- N97SS · no longer on the register · serial 21014C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 132 hours in all; 31 in this make and model; 42 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 74 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 22 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-C4F (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 4A7 at 3:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 4,503 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 330° at 8 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:24 pm from FFC, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.