# NTSB ANC23LA033: Maule M-7-235, N30AG, Soldotna, AK, May 10, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: May 10, 2023, 13:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Soldotna, AK · On airport
- Coordinates: 60.474797, -151.03835 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=60.4748&lon=-151.0384&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 162754
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC23LA033
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/162754/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC23LA033

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Maule M-7-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-7-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5470208), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was conducting touch-and-go landings in a tailwheel-equipped airplane during gusting crosswind conditions. The pilot reported that after landing, a gust of wind turned the airplane into the wind. When the pilot corrected for the turn, another gust of wind lifted the left wing and the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30AG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N30AG), registered now, S/N 4131C, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-7-235
- Registry model: [Maule M-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235) (registry code 5470208) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 4131C
- Year built: 1994
- Airframe hours: 3397
- Engines: Lycoming L-2A740-40A O-540-B4B5 320 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 2023, 2 hours before
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: SXQ, Soldotna Airport, runway 7, 2,000 × 80 ft, gravel
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 82; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 19, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 12,000 total, 9,000 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 0 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 23 knots, gusting 32
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 48 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.63 inHg
- Turbulence: Moderate
- Observed at: PAEN, 9 nm away
- METAR: PAEN 102153Z 36023G32KT 10SM BKN070 09/01 A2963 RMK AO2 PK WND 36032/2146 SLP037 T00890011

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20230510009469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230510009469A), May 10, 2023: Maule M-7-235, Soldotna, AK, Substantial damage. 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…

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.

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