Maule MX-7-180A accident near Angwin, California, June 21, 2008
On June 21, 2008 at about 5:00 pm local time, a Maule MX-7-180A, registered N1993F, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Angwin, California (Virgil O Parrett Field). 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 pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and failure to maintain directional control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 21, 2008 · about 5:00 pm local time
- Place
- Angwin, California · Virgil O Parrett Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule MX-7-180A · all MX-7-180As on the register
- Registration
- N1993F · no longer on the register · serial 20003C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot lost directional control during the initial takeoff roll on runway 34 in a tailwheel-equipped airplane. He lifted the tail, and the airplane turned sharply to the left. He applied right rudder and braking, left aileron control deflection, and reduced the throttle to idle; however, directional control was not regained. The airplane departed the left side of the runway and struck a pole. The left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane slid into a cattle fence, causing substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. He added that the winds were from 290 degrees at 7 miles per hour.
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 takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Crosswind › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Crosswind correction › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Not specified
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Pole › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 149 hours in all; 103 in this make and model; 44 in the last 90 days; 8 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: December 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,264.4 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 2O3 Angwin CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 3,217 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from ksts, 18 miles away
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 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.