# NTSB WPR22LA232: Maule MX-7-235, N13ZF, Copperopolis, CA, June 11, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: June 11, 2022, 13:50 local (20:50 UTC) - Place: Copperopolis, CA - Coordinates: 37.990625, -120.54333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9906&lon=-120.5433&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) - 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: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 105368 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR22LA232 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105368/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105368 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22LA232 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the airplane during takeoff in gusting wind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause) ## Analysis The pilot of the amphibian airplane reported that, during takeoff from the lake, the airplane encountered a gust of wind, which lifted the left wing. While correcting the airplane encountered a second gust of wind, which raised the left wing, resulting in the right wingtip striking the water. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted within the water, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093) (defining event) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) ## Aircraft - Registration: [N13ZF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N13ZF), registered now, S/N 10051C, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE MX-7-235 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Maule MX-7-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-235) (registry code 5470207) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10051C - Year built: 1987 - Airframe hours: 839.2 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: 13zf LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 10, 2022, 18.5 hours before - Equipment: ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 6, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 329.2 total, 28.1 in this make and model, 306.7 as pilot in command, 8.8 in the last 90 days, 1.9 in the last 30 days, 1.4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 95 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.99 inHg - Observed at: KO22, 6 nm away - METAR: METAR KO22 112035Z AUTO VRB06KT 10SM CLR 35/00 A2999 RMK A01= ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20220611010359I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220611010359I), Jun 11, 2022: Maule MX-7-235, Columbia, CA, Minor damage. On June 11, 2022 at approximately 2242 UTC [privacy data omitted], a maul MX-7-235 on floats, tipped during a water takeoff at new melones reservoir, CA. The… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 30, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105368. 13.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 12.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14144180&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 1 photo, 631 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14333949&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.pdf 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.