Maule MX-7-180A accident near Elk River, Idaho, September 25, 2021
On September 25, 2021 at about 9:09 pm local time, a 1995 Maule MX-7-180A, registered N31876, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Elk River, Idaho (Elk River 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).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a fence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 25, 2021 · about 9:09 pm local time
- Place
- Elk River, Idaho · Elk River · 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, built 1995 · all MX-7-180As on the register
- Registration
- N31876 · registry record · serial 20045C
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff from a rough gravel airstrip, the airplane veered left and exited the runway surface despite his control inputs. Subsequently, the airplane veered right, and traveled down sloping terrain and impacted a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the left wing and left elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 649 hours in all; 270 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 532 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 22, 2009
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 0 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 11, 2021
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 641 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 3, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Textron Lycoming O360-C4F (piston); 641 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HRI Hermiston OR at 9:20 pm
- Destination: ID85 Elk River ID
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17/3, 3,000 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 39°F (4°C)
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 pm from KPUW, 39 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KPUW 252053Z AUTO VRB03KT 9SM CLR 25/04 A2993 RMK AO2 SLP120 T02500039 58010
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 2 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR21LA361.