Maule M-7-235B accident near Lake City, Michigan, May 5, 2001
On May 5, 2001 at about 10:32 pm local time, a Maule M-7-235B, registered N744LS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Lake City, Michigan. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the improper installation of the left landing gear hydraulic line which allowed it to separate and port the hydraulic fluid. This resulted in the landing gear extending during a water landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 5, 2001 · about 10:32 pm local time
- Place
- Lake City, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M-7-235B · all M-7-235Bs on the register
- Registration
- N744LS · no longer on the register · serial 23010C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane nosed over during the water landing with the wheel extended. The pilot reported that after takeoff from the lake, he was unable to lower the landing gear in preparation for a hard surface landing. He returned to the lake where he recylced the gear and performed emergency procedures to verify the gear was retracted. The pilot reported that he thought the gear was retracted prior to touchdown. He reported that as he slowed the airplane, the force of the water pulled the landing gear down and the airplane nosed over. Inspection of the airplane after the accident revealed that the hydraulic line to the left gear had separated porting the hydraulic fluid. It was determined that the hydraulic line was not properly flared at the fitting.
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
Pilot
- Flight time: 138 hours in all; 29 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: March 14, 2001
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 8, 2000
- Seats: 5
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CAD Cadillac MI at 8:45 pm
- Destination: Lake City MI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 10,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 10:35 pm from CAD, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
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.