# NTSB MIA99LA116: Maule M-7-235B, N10430, Boca Grande, FL, April 3, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 3, 1999, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Boca Grande, FL
- Coordinates: 26.769891, -82.249221 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.7699&lon=-82.2492&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46032
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA116
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46032/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA116

## Probable cause

The pilots failure to maintain a visual lookout on landing resulting in an in-flight collision with a wave.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - water
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot stated he was making a landing to smooth water. The left float collided with a wave. The airplane rotated to the left about 30 degrees, and the right wing tip collided with the water.

## Factual narrative

On April 3, 1999, about 1200 eastern standard time, a Maule M-7-235B seaplane, N10430, crashed on landing at Boca Grande, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The seaplane sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot reported no injuries. The private pilot passenger reported serious injuries. The flight originated from Captiva Island, Florida, about 10 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated he was making a landing to smooth water. The left float collided with a big wave when flying parallel to the water. The airplane rotated to the left about 30 degrees, the right wing tip touched the water, which turned the airplane into the original direction.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10430](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10430-2005-03-08), registration cancelled 2005-03-08, S/N 23051C, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule M-7-235B
- Registry model: [Maule M-7-235B](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235b) (registry code 5460109) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23051C
- Airframe hours: 135
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-J3A5 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ulrich H. Gerstner
- Registered owner: Sanibel Seaplane Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 25, 1999, 7 hours before
- Departed: N/A, CAPTIVA ISLAND, FL
- Destination: N/A

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,845 total, 42 in this make and model, 1,381 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRQ

## 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 19990403002959A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990403002959A), Apr 3, 1999: Maule M7235B, Boca Grande, FL, Substantial damage. Seaplane landed in calm water, the left float and wing contacted the water, the left float and wing contacted the water, the acft tipped 80-90 degrees, and the…

## Other investigations on N10430 (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 MIA04CA041](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA04CA041), Jan 3, 2004: Maule M-7-235B (N10430), Fort Lauderdale, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor in this accident was the improper use of full flaps.

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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