Probable cause
The pilot's loss of directional control during a precautionary off-field landing that he performed after encountering deteriorating weather conditions.
NTSB analysis
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 advised 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 primary fuselage 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.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN10CA452 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 30, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Pittsfield, Illinois
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Instrument (IMC)
- Light
- Day
Maule MX-7-180A
- N-number
- N17MX
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.