Probable cause
The pilot's improper landing flare which resulted in a hard landing.
NTSB analysis
During the initial touchdown the nose gear collapsed. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the nose gear oleo strut was broken, and the firewall was buckled. Examination of the oleo strut by the National Transportation Safety Board materials laboratory revealed that all of the fractures were on a slant plane, and were consistent with overstress fracture. The fractures occurred under bending overstress. There was no indication of any pre-existing fatigue cracking or corrosion.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for MIA08LA147 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 21, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Rome, Georgia
- Nearest airport
- Richard B Russell (RMG)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Maule MT-7-235
- N-number
- N142CP
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Glider tow
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.