Probable cause
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control.
NTSB analysis
The pilot stated that a gust of wind blew the airplane to the left of the runway as he was landing. He tried to abort the landing; however, the airplane barely lifted off the ground. The airplane continued to the left off of the runway and landed hard about 100 feet from the runway and ground looped. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspector examined the airplane; he established flight control continuity from the cockpit to the rudder and elevators. The rudder pedals operated smoothly with no restrictions. The main landing gear wheels and tail wheel were also inspected with no mechanical abnormalities noted.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10CA455 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Sep 11, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Willows, California
- Nearest airport
- Willows-Glenn County Airport (WLW)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Maule MX7
- N-number
- N6138Y
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.