# NTSB NYC08CA063: Maule M-7-235, N961PH, Key Largo, FL, December 13, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: December 13, 2007, 18:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Key Largo, FL
- Coordinates: 25.041666, -80.488334
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.0417&lon=-80.4883&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 67259
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC08CA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/67259/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC08CA063

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control during the landing. Contributing was the wind gust.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - water
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)

## Analysis

The pilot of a float-equipped Maule M-7-235 noted a rain squall in the "immediate area" of his planned water landing. The pilot decided to land 1/2 mile to the northeast, into a northeast wind. Upon touchdown, a wind gust lifted the right wing with more force than the pilot could counteract. The airplane's left float submerged, then separated, along with the strut, from the wing. The airplane spun to the left, and the right wingtip struck the water. The pilot reported about 350 hours of flight time, with 100 hours in model, and 75 to 100 water landings within the previous year.

## Factual narrative

According to the pilot of a float-equipped Maule M-7-235, there was a rain squall in the "immediate area" of his planned water landing. The pilot decided to land 1/2 mile to the northeast, into a northeast wind. Upon touchdown, a wind gust lifted the right wing with more force than the pilot could counteract. The airplane's left float submerged, then separated, along with the strut, from the wing. The airplane spun to the left, and the right wingtip struck the water. The pilot reported about 350 hours of flight time, with 100 hours in model, and 75 to 100 water landings within the previous year.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N961PH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N961PH-2018-01-24), registration cancelled 2018-01-24, S/N 4086C, built 1991 (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: 4086C
- Airframe hours: 486
- Engines: Lycoming O-540 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George Wilson
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: NONE, Key Largo, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 350 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 45° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F

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.