Maule M 7 N81818

Summary

On 7 October 2017 at about 22:30 local time, a Maule M 7 registered N81818 was involved in an accident near Manokatak, Alaska, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 October 2017 at 22:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Manokatak, Alaska, United States

Coordinates

58.8300, -159.5320

Aircraft

Maule M 7

Registration

N81818

Category

Airplane

Year built

1987

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Dillingham → Manokatak

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA006

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, during takeoff from a beach, a wind gust pushed the airplane down, and he was unable to arrest the descent. Subsequently, the right wing impacted the beach first, then the left wing, the left landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. According to the pilot, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 40° at 10 knots, gusting to 18 knots, and visibility was 10 miles. It is unknown from which direction the airplane was departing.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.