Maule M-7-235B accident near Hotchkiss, Colorado, March 13, 2023
On March 13, 2023 at about 5:52 pm local time, a 1996 Maule M-7-235B, registered N235TT, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Hotchkiss, Colorado (Blm Airstrip airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s loss of control during landing rollout on a snow-covered, turf airstrip.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 13, 2023 · about 5:52 pm local time
- Place
- Hotchkiss, Colorado · Blm Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-7-235B, built 1996 · all M-7-235Bs on the register
- Registration
- N235TT · registry record · serial 23031C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot planned to land at a Bureau of Land Management backcountry landing strip he had previously visited over 100 times. After completing multiple low passes to assess the snow depth and overall conditions of the landing area, he executed a soft field landing in a 3-point, full stall attitude. During the rollout, the drag from the snow was greater than expected and he was unable to maintain control. The airplane nosed over at low speed and came to rest inverted. The vertical stabilizer, rudder, and right-wing struts sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Runway/land/takeoff/taxi surface › Snow/slush/ice covered surface › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 632 hours in all; 250 in this make and model; 4 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 574 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 29, 2022
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,041 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 2, 2023; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-J3A5 (piston); 2,050 hours total
- Operator: Wild Country Aircraft LLC
The flight
- Departed from: 2CO5 Austin CO at 5:40 pm
- Destination: PVT Hotchkiss CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 1,240 ft by 20 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 100° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 46°F (8°C), dew point 36°F (2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.13 inHg
- Observation at 11:35 am from KAJZ, 13 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KAJZ 131735Z AUTO 10004KT 10SM CLR 08/02 A3013
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on April 20, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photos | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.