# Accident 20161215022579A: Maule MX-7-235, Willow, AK, December 15, 2016

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: December 15, 2016, 11:00 local time
- Place: Willow, AK
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Takeoff: Departure Roll
- Operating rules: Air taxi and commuter (Part 135)
- Operator: D08C
- Location: 61.8603° N, 151.4055° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.8603&lon=-151.4055&mi=10
- Aircraft: N56681, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56681) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Maule MX-7-235 (registry code 5470207, https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-235) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming L-540-T4B5 (registry code 41563, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-l-540-t4b5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MX-7-235
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 15,000 total, 8,300 in this make and model, 200 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB GAA17CA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA101) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161215022579A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

OPERATOR LANDED AT REMOTE STRIP AND DROPPED OFF PASSENGERS.  DURING TAKE OFF HIT A SNOW DRIFT THAT LAUNCHED AIRCRAFT INTO THE AIR WITH A LOUD BANG.  OPERATOR RETURNED TO WILLOW AND UPON LANDING NOTICED AIRCRAFT LISTING.  STOPPED AIRCRAFT ON TAXIWAY ONCE CLEAR OF RUNWAY AND HAD MECHANIC LOOK AT AIRCRAFT, BRACE LANDING GEAR, AND THEN TOW IT TO HANGAR.  AIRFRAME TUBE WITH OLEO STRUT MOUNTS BROKE NEXT TO MOUNTS. ONLY AFTER REMOVING FLOOR BOARDS WAS THE MECHANIC ABLE TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE.  THIS IS WHY IT WAS REPORTED TWO WEEKS AFTER DATE OF INCIDENT.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB GAA17CA101](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA101), Dec 15, 2016: Maule MX 7 (N56681), Willow, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to ensure that the runway was clear of any obstacles before departure, which resulted in the airplane impacting a snowdrift.

## Other reports on N56681 (1)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 19990809024199I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990809024199I), Aug 9, 1999: Maule MX7235 (N56681), John River, AK, Minor damage. After a visual inspection the airman setup for a landing on a remote gavel bar that he had landed on a fw days before. Prior to touchdown a light crosswind…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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