Accident Details
A Maule M-7-235C aircraft was involved in an accident while attempting a go-around after a landing approach in gusting wind conditions. The pilot reported that during the final approach, the wind decreased, causing the airplane to sink faster than desired, prompting the addition of power. The aircraft then drifted left of the runway centerline. After an attempted correction, the pilot decided to execute a go-around.
Pilot Report
During the go-around, while in a nose-high attitude, the pilot encountered a large gust of wind. In response, he applied full right rudder and full left aileron. Subsequently, the right main landing gear struck the ground and was severed, and the airplane impacted the ground. A postflight inspection revealed substantial damage to the fuselage and right wing.
The pilot stated that there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
As a safety recommendation, the pilot suggested that he should have approached at a faster speed and used one or two notches of flaps instead of three.
Flight Manual Information
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local automated weather observing system reported wind from 180 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 22 knots.
The Maule M-7-235C airplane flight manual describes normal flight operations for crosswind landings and takeoffs. The manual does not provide a maximum safe crosswind velocity chart. It states that the maximum demonstrated crosswind component is 12 knots (14 miles per hour) and that flap extension should be limited to 0 degrees (first notch) with such crosswind or higher. This 12-knot value is the maximum demonstrated for certification and is not considered limiting with flaps at 0 degrees.