ANC26LA029

NTSB accident investigation · Maule M-7-235 · Wasilla, AK · April 3, 2026

Accident · No injuriesClass 3 · LimitedPreliminary report
Date
April 3, 2026, 13:00 local (21:00 UTC)
Place
Wasilla, AK
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Initial climb
Aircraft
N93MLMaule M-7-235
Defining event
Initial climb: Loss of engine power (partial)
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Investigation ongoing
Investigation class
Class 3
NTSB office
Alaska Regional Office
Parties
FAA/FSDO
FAA report
20260403003839A
Case key
202873

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Preliminary report

What NTSB knew early in the investigation. It may change in the final report.

On April 3, 2026, at 1300 Alaska daylight time, a Maule M 7 235 airplane, N93ML, was substantially damaged during an accident near Wasilla, Alaska. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, he taxied to the runway, allowed the engine to warm up, completed a full run up, and cycled the propeller at least five times. He reported that during the takeoff roll, engine power appeared normal. However, shortly after rotation, he experienced a perceived reduction in engine power and believed the engine was no longer producing sufficient power for continued climb performance. The pilot stated that rejecting the takeoff was not an option. In an effort to clear obstacles, he selected one notch of flaps. The airplane subsequently impacted trees approximately 1,500 feet from the beginning of the takeoff roll. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site, and a detailed post accident examination of the airplane is pending.

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Aircraft

Registration
N93ML
Reported as
Maule M-7-235
Category
Airplane
Serial number
4114-C
Built
1993
Airframe hours
2,187.7
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Hopman Christopher J
Registered owner
Hopman Christopher J
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Last inspection
100 hour · April 25, 2025
Destination
Same as departure
Airport
6AK9 · Cizek North, runway 04/22, 1,320 × 100 ft, snow
Equipment
Stall warning system

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
210° at 3 knots
Visibility
10 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
36 °F, dew point 14 °F
Altimeter
29.92 inHg
Observed at
AWS, 5 nm away
METAR
PAWS 032056Z AUTO 21003KT 10SM CLR 02/M10 A2992 RMK AO2 SLPNO 6//// T00221100 FZRANO $

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.