# Accident 20230510009469A: Maule M-7-235, Soldotna, AK, May 10, 2023

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 10, 2023, 13:00 local time
- Place: Soldotna, AK
- Airport: Soldotna
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Landing: Rollout
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 60.4748° N, 151.0384° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.4748&lon=-151.0384&mi=10
- Aircraft: N30AG, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30AG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Maule M-7-235 (registry code 5470208, https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-540 series (registry code 41532, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-7-235
- Reported engine: LYCOMING 0-540 SERIES
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot
- Pilot flight hours: 10,000 total, 8,000 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC23LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA033) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230510009469A

## Narrative

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

MAULE FROM FAA FORM 8020-9 AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT INCIDENT PRELIMINARY NOTICE, BLOCK 5, BRIEF DESCRIPTION:  PROP STRIKE ON LANDING DUE TO WIND GUST.

NWS REPORT FOR WINDS AT THIS APPROX. TIME/LOCATION (1256 LOCAL), NORTH AT 15 KTS GUSTING TO 22 KTS.

FROM PILOT STATEMENT: 'TAKEOFF-SOLDOTNA MUNICIPAL AIRPORT (PASX OR SXQ) AT 12:58PM (5-10-23) FOR A TOUCH AND GO AROUND THE TRAFFIC PATTERN.  USED 1/2 FLAPS FOR THE ATTEMPTED CROSSWIND LANDING.  AFTER THE PLANE WAS ON THE GRAVEL RUNWAY I CONTINUED TO TAXI FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.  SUDDENLY A STRONG GUST OF WIND CAUGHT THE TAIL CAUSING THE PLANE TO TURN INTO THE WIND.  WHEN I IMMEDIATELY CORRECTED TO KEEP THE PLANE GOING STRAIGHT DOWN THE RUNWAY.  THE WIND CAUGHT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE LEFT WING CAUSING IT TO LIFT AND PUT THE NOSE OF THE AIRCRAFT NOSE INTO THE EDGE OF THE GRAVEL RUNWAY.  THE WIND FLIPPED THE PLANE ONTO ITS BACK.'

FURTHER, THE PILOT OPINED, 'LESSON LEARNED: DO NOT LAND IN STRONG GUSTY CROSSWINDS'

## 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 ANC23LA033](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA033), May 10, 2023: Maule M-7-235 (N30AG), Soldotna, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions.

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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