Maule MT 7-235 accident near Edon, Ohio, August 26, 2014
On August 26, 2014 at about 3:45 pm local time, a 1998 Maule MT 7-235, registered N627RK, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Edon, Ohio (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s inability to maintain airplane control while attempting a precautionary landing after takeoff due to his incorrect setting of the rudder trim tab, which resulted in a significant turning tendency during flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 26, 2014 · about 3:45 pm local time
- Place
- Edon, Ohio · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule MT 7-235, built 1998 · all MT 7-235s on the register
- Registration
- N627RK · no longer on the register · serial 18036C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the takeoff, the airplane experienced a left turning tendency, which continued until he had made full-right aileron and rudder inputs. The pilot decided to execute a precautionary landing in a nearby field. As the pilot initiated a descent and the airspeed increased, the left turn steepened despite the full control inputs. The airplane subsequently impacted trees along the edge of the field. A postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies with the flight control system, and the rudder trim tab was found deflected to the right. The cockpit rudder trim control was positioned consistent with the observed trim tab deflection. Right trim tab deflection causes a left rudder control surface deflection in flight and was consistent with the left turning tendency reported by the pilot.
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
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during initial climb defining event
- Loss of control in flight during emergency descent
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Yaw control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Rudder tab control system › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 120 hours in all; 60 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 1, 2014
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,593 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 8, 2013; 38 hours since
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5 (piston); 233 hours total
- Operator: S & J Aviation LLC
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Edon OH at 3:43 pm
- Destination: PVT Edon OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 11, 1,200 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 4,400 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from DFI, 17 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on May 26, 2015. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N627RK the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.