On December 13, 2007, a Maule M-7-235 (registration N961PH) was involved in an aviation accident near Key Largo, FL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's loss of control during the landing. Contributing was the wind gust. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot of a float-equipped Maule M-7-235 attempted a water landing near a rain squall. A wind gust during touchdown caused the left float to separate, leading to a spin and wingtip water strike. The pilot reported 350 total flight hours.
Incident Details
A float-equipped Maule M-7-235 airplane was involved in an incident during a water landing. The pilot observed a rain squall in the immediate area of the intended landing site. To avoid the squall, the pilot elected to land approximately half a mile to the northeast, with a northeast wind direction. Upon touchdown, a wind gust lifted the right wing with force exceeding the pilot's ability to counteract. The left float subsequently submerged and separated from the wing, along with the strut. The airplane then spun to the left, causing the right wingtip to strike the water.
Pilot Background
The pilot reported approximately 350 hours of total flight experience, including 100 hours in the Maule M-7-235 model. Within the previous year, the pilot had accumulated between 75 and 100 water landings.