FTW95LA165

Factual narrative

On April 11, 1995, at 0800 central daylight time, a Maule MXT-7-180, N563AB, was substantially damaged while maneuvering near Eunice, Louisiana. The commercial pilot did not sustain injury; however, the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local powerline patrol flight. During a personal interview, conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, the pilot stated that "he was attempting to circle a downed powerline." He further reported that "windshear forced the airplane down and the airplane was not able to climb." The enclosed Pilot/Operator report states that the ceiling was 1,000 feet above the ground (AGL), winds were from the northwest at 10 knots gusting to 15 knots. During the turning maneuver to the east southeast, the airplane began to loose altitude. As the pilot turned the airplane toward the north, the right wing was "suddenly blown upward" and the left wing struck the ground. The FAA inspector examining the site reported the airplane came to rest in a rice field with the left wing separated from the airframe. He further stated that a weather front, moving through the area, with thunderstorms, rain, and gusting winds reduced the ceilings to 800 to 900 feet overcast and visibility to 7 miles at the time of the flight. THE PILOT WAS MANEUVERING THE AIRPLANE IN ORDER TO SURVEY A DOWNED POWERLINE. WINDS WERE FROM THE NORTHWEST AT 10 KNOTS GUSTING TO 15 KNOTS ACCORDING TO THE PILOT. DURING THE TURNING MANEUVER TO THE EAST SOUTHEAST, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO LOSE ALTITUDE AND AS THE TURN CONTINUED, THE RIGHT WING RAISED UPWARD AND THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE GROUND. THE AIRPLANE CAME TO REST WITH THE LEFT WING SEPARATED. THE FAA INSPECTOR REPORTED THAT A WEATHER FRONT MOVING THROUGH THE AREA WAS ACCOMPANIED BY GUSTING WINDS. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12