N343GA

On September 13, 2025, about 12:28 Alaska daylight time, a Maule M5-235C airplane, N343GA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Point McKenzie, Alaska. The commercial pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations as a Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, the airplane departed Merrill Field (MRI) Anchorage, Alaska at around 12:20 and was en route to land at a private strip near Point McKenzie Alaska. The pilot reported that he was going to land to the south and was on the downwind leg of the traffic pattern at about 80 knots with one notch of flaps extended. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane on the base leg of the traffic pattern about 300-400 feet agl (above ground level), he slowed to about 65 knots and added the second notch of flaps, the airplane immediately rolled to the left. The pilot attempted to recover the airplane; however, the airplane impacted the ground and came to rest on a northerly heading (see figure 1).

The wreckage has been recovered, and a postaccident wreckage examination is pending.

Figure 1 Accident airplane