# NTSB FTW98LA395: Maule M-5-235C, N9218E, Mimbres, NM, September 13, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 1998, 16:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Mimbres, NM - Coordinates: 33.040603, -107.919532 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0406&lon=-107.9195&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43938 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA395 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43938/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA395 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Factors were a low altitude turn into a crosswind and a high density altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - descent - uncontrolled (cause) ## Analysis According to the pilot's accident report, he departed a grass airstrip (3,000 feet x 300 feet, dirt), en route to El Paso, Texas. He climbed to 200 feet, maneuvered to the left side of a valley, then made a climbing right turn to head south and through the valley. He encountered 'a hard crosswind from the left,' and he 'turned into the downwind side of this crosswind.' The airplane lost altitude and 'barely' struck the ground. The landing gear collapsed, and the airplane slid 80 feet before colliding with a log-loading machine. The computed density altitude at Deming, New Mexico (elevation 4,312 feet msl), located 44 miles southeast of the accident site, was 7,349 feet msl. The pilot said the elevation of the accident site was 6,200 feet msl. The approximate density altitude at the accident site was computed to be 9,628 feet msl. ## Factual narrative On September 13, 1998, approximately 1600 mountain daylight time, a Maule M-5-235C, N9218E, was substantially damaged when the airplane collided with terrain shortly after takeoff from a private airstrip near Mimbres, New Mexico. The private pilot, the sole occupant on board, received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal cross-country flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight had just originated. According to the pilot's accident report, he departed a grass airstrip (3,000 feet x 300 feet, dirt), en route to El Paso, Texas. He climbed to 200 feet, maneuvered to the left side of a valley, then made a climbing right turn to head south and through the valley. He encountered "a hard crosswind from the left," and he "turned into the downwind side of this crosswind." The airplane lost altitude and "barely" struck the ground. The landing gear collapsed and the airplane slid 80 feet before colliding with a log-loading machine. Both spars were broken and the wings were bent aft along the fuselage. The pilot wrote: "The accident was entirely my fault and could have been prevented by not turning into the downwind side of the crosswind and/or by attaining more altitude before making the 180 degree turn." The computed density altitude at Deming, New Mexico (elevation 4,312 feet msl), located 44 miles southeast of the accident site, was 7,349 feet msl. The pilot said the elevation of the accident site was 6,200 feet msl. The approximate density altitude at the accident site was computed to be 9,628 feet msl. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9218E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9218E-2016-02-17), registration cancelled 2016-02-17, S/N 7123C, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-5-235C - Registry model: [Maule M-5-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-235c) (registry code 5460135) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7123C - Airframe hours: 1160 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-J2A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Omar Fulton - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1998, 27 hours before - Destination: TX04, EL PASO, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,700 total, 1,100 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: DMN, 44 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980913039239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980913039239A), Sep 13, 1998: Maule M5235C, Mimbres, NM, Substantial damage. (.4) According to the pilot's accident report, he departed a grass airstrip (3,000 feet x 300 feet, dirt) en route to el paso, Texas. He climbed to 200 feet,… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.