This is all I got...
Be safe out there!
Tom
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NTSB Prelim: Maule M-7-235A
Immediately After The Right Main Tire Contacted The Runway Surface, The Right Main Landing Gear Failed
Location: Friday Harbor, WA Accident Number: WPR26LA035
Date & Time: October 31, 2025, 12:27 Local Registration: N9234N
Aircraft: Maule M-7-235A Injuries: 1 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On October 31, 2025, at about 1227 Pacific daylight time, a Maule M-7-235A, N9234N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Friday Harbor Airport (FHR), Friday Harbor, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
The pilot reported that, as he approached runway 16, he observed there was a gusting crosswind from the left. The pilot compensated for the crosswind by landing on the left main tire first, followed by the right main tire. Immediately after the right main tire contacted the runway surface, the right main landing gear failed, and the airplane ground looped to the left.
As a result, the airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. Examination of the right main landing gear revealed a fracture at a weld inboard of the wheel axle.
The right main landing gear was retained for further examination.
FMI: www.ntsb.gov
Today in History
56 Years ago today: On 3 December 1969 Air France Flight 212, a Boeing 707-300, impacted the sea three minutes after takeoff from Caracas, Venezuela, killing all 62 occupants
| Date: | Wednesday 3 December 1969 |
| Time: | 18:05 |
| Type: | Boeing 707-328B |
| Owner/operator: | Air France |
| Registration: | F-BHSZ |
| MSN: | 18459/335 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1963 |
| Engine model: | P&W JT3D-3B |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 62 / Occupants: 62 |
| Other fatalities: | 0 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed, written off |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | ca 6,5 km off Caracas-Simon Bolivar Airport (CCS) - Venezuela |
| Phase: | En route |
| Nature: | Passenger - Scheduled |
| Departure airport: | Caracas-Simón Bolívar International Airport (CCS/SVMI) |
| Destination airport: | Pointe-à-Pitre-Le Raizet Airport (PTP/TFFR) |
Narrative:
Air France Flight 212, a Boeing 707-300, impacted the sea three minutes after takeoff from Caracas, Venezuela, killing all 62 occupants
The aircraft operated a scheduled service from Santiago de Chile to Paris with en route stops at Quito (Ecuador), Caracas (Venezuela) and Pointe-à-Pitre (Guadeloupe). The flight had been cleared to climb to a height of 3000 feet after takeoff when the aircraft lost altitude and crashed. The depth of the water in the area was around 160 feet.
BEA documents relating to the investigation of the accident are classified in the national archives until 2029. However, in a letter dated November 27, 1970, the Police Prefecture's Central Laboratory stated that technical analysis of the neighboring parts of the left main gear showed the presence of nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine and a nitro derivative in the form of traces that could come from the decomposition of dinitrotoluene or possibly trinitrotoluene.
They concluded that it was likely that a dynamite explosive device had been placed in the left main gear wheel well.
