What happened
On November 24, 2015, a Maule MX7, registration HB-KFC, was conducting a training flight near the Clariden-Hüfifirn area. The flight was an introductory session where the instructor maintained full control of the aircraft. After performing several landings at the Hüfifirn-Ost site, the crew scouted a new landing area located slightly to the north. Following several reconnaissance passes, the crew attempted a landing at this new location, which was completed without incident. However, during the subsequent takeoff attempt, the aircraft experienced a significantly slower acceleration than expected. This resulted in an extended takeoff roll, during which the aircraft collided with an icy depression on the terrain. The impact caused the landing gear to collapse and resulted in damage to the wing strut and the propeller. The two crew members sustained light injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the takeoff at the newly identified landing site. The inquiry focused on the flight dynamics during the takeoff roll and the environmental conditions of the terrain. The investigation confirmed that the aircraft was operating under VFR rules and that the flight was a training mission. The physical damage to the Maule MX07—specifically the bent propeller, broken wing strut, and collapsed gear—was consistent with the impact with the uneven, icy surface.