Maule M7 accident near Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, March 20, 2025
On March 20, 2025 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 2002 Maule M7, registered N4224L, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Birdsboro, Pennsylvania. 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 decision to land with a quartering tailwind in shifting wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of control and nose-over.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 20, 2025 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Birdsboro, Pennsylvania · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule M7 235C, built 2002 · all M7s on the register
- Registration
- N4224L · no longer on the register · serial M7-235C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he attempted to land at his home airstrip using a “limp windsock” to assess the wind conditions. Although aware of an approaching storm and the potential for shifting winds, he proceeded with the landing on runway 26. He landed with a quartering tailwind on a short runway with limited go-around options. The landing initially appeared normal; however, the wind suddenly shifted direction after touchdown and the airplane became unstable and flipped over. Both of the airplane’s wings were substantially damaged. The pilot later stated that he over-relied on the windsock and underestimated the impact of the changing weather. He reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures of 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
- Loss of control on ground during landing defining event
- Nose over/nose down during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,276 hours in all; 594 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 1,276 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 2, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 828 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 20, 2024; 8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO540-W1A5 (piston); 828 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 08N Lebanon PA at 9:10 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 8 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 72°F (22°C), dew point 43°F (6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.53 inHg
- Observation at 3:54 pm from PTW, 11 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KPTW 201954Z AUTO 13008G20KT 080V160 10SM CLR 22/06 A2953 RMK AO2 SLP998 T02170056=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Front view of green and white airplane showing buckled wings
Photograph 2 – View of green and white airplane left side buckled wing.The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on August 21, 2025. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigative Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | 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.