Maule MX-7-235 accident near Copperopolis, California, June 11, 2022
On June 11, 2022 at about 8:50 pm local time, a 1987 Maule MX-7-235, registered N13ZF, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Copperopolis, California. 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).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control of the airplane during takeoff in gusting wind.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 11, 2022 · about 8:50 pm local time
- Place
- Copperopolis, California · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Maule MX-7-235 NO SERIES, built 1987 · all MX-7-235s on the register
- Registration
- N13ZF · registry record · serial 10051C
- 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 amphibian airplane reported that, during takeoff from the lake, the airplane encountered a gust of wind, which lifted the left wing. While correcting the airplane encountered a second gust of wind, which raised the left wing, resulting in the right wingtip striking the water. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted within the water, which resulted in substantial damage to the right wing. 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
- Dragged wing/rotor/float/other during takeoff defining event
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Contributed to outcome
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 329.2 hours in all; 28.1 in this make and model; 8.8 in the last 90 days; 1.9 in the last 30 days; 306.7 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: February 6, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 839.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 10, 2022; 18.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,750 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-W1A5D (piston); 857 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 32°F (0°C)
- Altimeter: 29.99 inHg
- Observation at 1:35 pm from KO22, 6 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KO22 112035Z AUTO VRB06KT 10SM CLR 35/00 A2999 RMK A01=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
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 WPR22LA232.