NTSB WPR22LA232 — 2022-06-11 · Copperopolis, California, United States

Current FAA registration · N13ZF

Make / Model: MAULE MX-7-235
Year of manufacture: 1987 · 35 years old at event
Engine: LYCOMING IO-540 SER (300 hp)
Seats / Engines: 5 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19870801
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S A07B1D

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N13ZF Maule MX-7-235 None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the airplane during takeoff in gusting wind.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the amphibian airplane reported that, during takeoff from the lake, the airplane encountered a gust of wind, which lifted the left wing. While correcting the airplane encountered a second gust of wind, which raised the left wing, resulting in the right wingtip striking the water. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted within the water, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

— Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Lateral/bank control-Not attained/maintained
— Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Gusts-Contributed to outcome
— Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2022_WPR22LA232.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

Search this event elsewhere

External sources are reported, not agency: signal that something happened, not fact about what happened.