N81818

On October 07, 2017, a Maule M 7 (N81818) was involved in an incident near Manokatak, AK. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting wind conditions.

The pilot reported that during takeoff from a beach, a gust of wind pushed the airplane down, and he was unable to arrest the decent. 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 the weather about the time of the accident was wind from 40° at 10 knots, wind gusts at 18 knots, and visibility of 10 miles. Its unknown which direction the airplane was departing.

This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA18CA006. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N81818.