# NTSB ERA26LA002: Maule M-7-260, N368FS, Parkland, FL, October 4, 2025 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 4, 2025, 15:55 local (19:55 UTC) - Place: Parkland, FL - Coordinates: 26.376667, -80.366944 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.3767&lon=-80.3669&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 7, 2026 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 201784 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA26LA002 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/201784/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA002 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to retract the amphibious airplane’s landing gear before conducting a forced landing on the water, which resulted in a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Landing gear system: gear extension and retract sys](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 416 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023230/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Engine (reciprocating)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unknown/Not determined; cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 497 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01058500/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Unknown/Not determined; cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000/cases.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Landing gear not configured](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-7-260, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md?model=5460111), [All aircraft, 584 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/095/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he departed in his retractable gear amphibious airplane from a paved runway and made a climbing left turn to the northwest. He leveled off about 1,200 ft mean sea level (msl), departed the populated area, and then descended to 600 ft msl over a wetlands area. About 10 to 12 minutes after departure, the engine surged several times, and subsequently lost power. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot elected to make a forced landing on the water. Upon touchdown, the airplane immediately nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. ADS-B data revealed that the airplane flew parallel to an inland waterway at 500 ft msl, before making a left 180° turn to the southeast, while maintaining level flight. At the completion of the turn, the airplane began a gradual descent, while aligned on final approach to the water. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the landing gear was extended. Following recovery, the engine was allowed to dry, the oil was changed, and a test run was conducted with no anomalies noted. The pilot stated that he did not retract the landing gear after departure and subsequently landed with the landing gear extended. The cause of the reported loss of engine power could not be determined; however, it is likely that, had the landing gear been retracted, a normal landing could have been accomplished safely. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N368FS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N368FS), registered now, S/N 23097C, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-7-260 - Registry model: [Maule M-7-260](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-260) (registry code 5460111) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-V4A5D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-v4a5d) (registry code 41807, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 23097C - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 1788.6 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-V4A5D 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 2025 - Departed: FXE, Fort Lauderdale, FL - Destination: Same as departure - Equipment: Stall warning system, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 85; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,713 total, 571 in this make and model, 3,673 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 15 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.89 inHg - Observed at: BCT, 14 nm away - METAR: METAR KBCT 042053Z 10015G22KT 10SM SCT025 29/24 A2989= ## 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 20251004015859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20251004015859A), Oct 4, 2025: Maule M-7-260, Boca Raton, FL, Substantial damage. The pilot forgot to retract the landing gear after taking off from fort lauderdale executive airport (kfxe) and subsequently made a water landing in the arthur… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.