NEWPORT, OR, USA
N5663U
Maule MX-7-180
Just as the pilot began the landing flare, the passenger attempted to adjust his position in his seat. While trying to adjust his position, the passenger inadvertently depressed the rudder pedal and held it in that position. As the aircraft responded to the rudder deflection, the pilot attempted a go-around, but was unable to maintain control with the rudder remaining in the deflected position. The aircraft crashed into trees before the go-around was completed.
On July 5, 1996, approximately 1100 Pacific daylight time, a Maule MX-7-180, N5663U, was substantially damaged in a collision with trees and terrain following a loss of control on approach to landing at Newport, Oregon. The private pilot and a passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR 91 flight from Snohomish County-Paine Field, Everett, Washington. The passenger, who was riding in the right front seat, stated that while attempting to adjust himself in the seat, he accidentally pushed on the rudder pedal, which put the aircraft out of control. The FAA preliminary accident notification indicated that the pilot attempted to regain control and initiate a go-around, but with the rudder fully deflected by the passenger, the pilot was unable to take successful remedial action, and the aircraft crashed into trees before the go-around was completed.
the passenger's inadvertent activation of the aircraft's rudder, which resulted in a loss of directional control and collision with a tree during an attempted go-around (aborted landing).
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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