Pilot Debrief

MAULE M-7-235A near Friday Harbor, WA — 2025-10-31

Investigation ongoingWPR26LA035
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Date
2025-10-31
Location
Friday Harbor, WA, USA
Airport
FHR
Aircraft
MAULE M-7-235A
Registration
N9234N
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

NTSB has not published a probable cause for this accident yet. Preliminary reports describe what happened; the cause is determined later, often 12–24 months after the event.

NTSB narrative

On October 31, 2025, at about 1227 Pacific daylight time, a Maule M-7-235A, N9234N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Friday Harbor Airport (FHR), Friday Harbor, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, as he approached runway 16, he observed there was a gusting crosswind from the left. The pilot compensated for the crosswind by landing on the left main tire first, followed by the right main tire. Immediately after the right main tire contacted the runway surface, the right main landing gear failed, and the airplane ground looped to the left. As a result, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Examination of the right main landing gear revealed a fracture at a weld inboard of the wheel axle. The right main landing gear was retained for further examination.

Preliminary NTSB coding

  • Landing gear collapse · Landing
View NTSB preliminary report

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