N3079Z

On November 4, 2000, about 1145 eastern standard time, a Maule MX-7-180A, N3079Z, registered to a private individual, operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, sustained a collapsed main landing gear during landing at St. Mary’s Airport, St. Mary’s, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private-rated pilot and a passenger were not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed the same airport about 15 minutes before the accident.

According to the pilot, he was conducting stop and go landings on St. Mary’s runway 22 when a gust of wind lifted the right wingtip during his third landing flare. The pilot's corrective action on the controls took effect about the time the wind gust abated, and a right sideward skid developed. The skid caused the right main landing gear strut to collapse, resulting in a ground strike of the right wingtip and propeller.

According to an FAA inspector, the pilot stated to him that the main factor in the accident was his loss of control of the aircraft on landing. An FAA certified mechanic confirmed that wing damage included damage to the spar.