Maule M-7-235 accident near Wasilla, Alaska, April 3, 2026
On April 3, 2026 at about 9:00 pm local time, a 1993 Maule M-7-235, registered N93ML, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Wasilla, Alaska (Cizek North airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 3, 2026 · about 9:00 pm local time · cases in 2026
- Place
- Wasilla, Alaska · Cizek North · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-7-235, built 1993 · all M-7-235s on the register
- Registration
- N93ML · registry record · serial 4114-C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On April 3, 2026, at 1300 Alaska daylight time, a Maule M 7 235 airplane, N93ML, was substantially damaged during an accident near Wasilla, Alaska. The pilot and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a personal flight under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the pilot, he taxied to the runway, allowed the engine to warm up, completed a full run up, and cycled the propeller at least five times. He reported that during the takeoff roll, engine power appeared normal. However, shortly after rotation, he experienced a perceived reduction in engine power and believed the engine was no longer producing sufficient power for continued climb performance. The pilot stated that rejecting the takeoff was not an option. In an effort to clear obstacles, he selected one notch of flaps. The airplane subsequently impacted trees approximately 1,500 feet from the beginning of the takeoff roll. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The wreckage was recovered from the accident site, and a detailed post accident examination of the airplane is pending.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,187.7 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 25, 2025
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 04/2, 1,320 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 36°F (2°C), dew point 14°F (-10°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 12:56 pm from AWS, 5 miles away
Weather report (METAR): PAWS 032056Z AUTO 21003KT 10SM CLR 02/M10 A2992 RMK AO2 SLPNO 6//// T00221100 FZRANO $
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N93ML on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Maule M-7 275 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Maule 1,345 aircraft on the register
- Cizek North Airport · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Alaska 5,932 since 1982 · 823 in the last ten years
- Alaska 9,143 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ANC26LA029.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.