# NTSB LAX05CA147: Maule MA-7-235C, N1033C, Borrego Springs, CA, April 10, 2005

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 10, 2005, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Borrego Springs, CA
- Coordinates: 33.183334, -116.283332
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1833&lon=-116.2833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 7, 2005
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 61376
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61376/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA147

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot lost directional control on the landing rollout, and the airplane collided with terrain as it veered off the runway.  The pilot said he was landing to the southwest and he lost directional control.  The airplane veered off the runway and sustained damage as the right wing contacted the ground.  The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.  The nearest official weather reporting station was bearing 360 degrees at 27 nautical miles.  At the time of the accident the station was reporting winds from 360 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots.

## Factual narrative

On April 10, 2005, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a Maule M-7-235, N1033C, collided with terrain while landing at a private dirt strip near Borrego Springs, California.  The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage.  The personal cross-country flight departed Thermal about 0930, and the private strip was the destination.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2).  He stated that he was landing to the southwest and lost directional control on the landing rollout.  The airplane veered off the runway.  The propeller and wheel sustained damage; the outboard 2 feet of the right wing bent up.

The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.

The nearest official reporting station was Thermal, California, bearing 360 degrees at 27 nautical miles.  At 1027, Thermal reported winds from 360 degrees at 14 knots, gusting to 22 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1033C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1033C), registered now, S/N 25012C, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule MA-7-235C
- Registry model: [Maule M-7-235C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235c) (registry code 5460110) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 25012C
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Patrick D Garvey
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: TRM, Thermal, CA
- Destination: Borrego Springs, CA
- Airport: L08, Borrego Valley, runway 25, 5,011 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 840 total, 45 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 14 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TRM, 27 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 20050410005589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050410005589A), Apr 10, 2005: Maule M7235C, Borrego Valley, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) During a telephone interview, the pilot stated that he lost control of the aircraft during landing on a dirt strip and veered off into a ditch. He stated…

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.

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