Maule M7 N4224L

Summary

On 20 March 2025 at about 21:30 local time, a Maule M7 registered N4224L was involved in an accident near Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was 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

20 March 2025 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.2628, -75.8027

Aircraft

Maule M7

Registration

N4224L

Category

Airplane

Year built

2002

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lebanon → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA25LA152

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s decision to land with a quartering tailwind in shifting wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and nose-over.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he attempted to land at his home airstrip using a “limp windsock” to assess the wind conditions. Although aware of an approaching storm and the potential for shifting winds, he proceeded with the landing on runway 26. He landed with a quartering tailwind on a short runway with limited go-around options. The landing initially appeared normal; however, the wind suddenly shifted direction after touchdown and the airplane became unstable and flipped over. Both of the airplane’s wings were substantially damaged. The pilot later stated that he over-relied on the windsock and underestimated the impact of the changing weather. He reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.