# NTSB LAX08CA011: Maule M-5-235-C, N5644N, Mesa, AZ, October 15, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 14, 2007, 17:35 local (Oct 15, 2007, 00:35 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 32.4608333333333, -111.728333333333 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4608&lon=-111.7283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 66896 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX08CA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66896/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX08CA011 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. ## 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 - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot stated that he lost control of the airplane on the landing roll when the airplane veered to the left. He attempted to gain control by correcting the left turn with right rudder. The airplane then made an abrupt right turn and the left gear collapsed. After the propeller impacted the runway surface, the airplane came to rest perpendicular to the runway. The pilot said there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. ## Factual narrative On October 14, 2007, about 1735 mountain standard time, a Maule, M-5-235-C, N5644N, ground looped during landing at Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, Arizona. Terrane Exploration & Reconnaissance Company LLC was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and a passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country flight departed Santa Teresa, New Mexico, about 1510, with a planned destination of Falcon Field. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan had been filed. In a written report to the National Transporation Safety Board, the pilot stated he lost control of the airplane on the landing roll when the airplane veered to the left. He attempted to gain control by correcting the left turn with right rudder. The airplane made an abrupt right turn and the left gear collapsed. After the propeller impacted the runway surface, the airplane came to rest perpendicular to the runway. The aircraft also sustained damage to the left wing, left horizontal stabilizer, left window, and muffler. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5644N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5644N), registered now, S/N 7347C, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule M-5-235-C - 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: 7347C - Airframe hours: 1197 - Engines: Textron Lycoming O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Terrane Exploration & Reconnaissance Co. LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2007 - Departed: 5T6, Santa Teresa, NM - Destination: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field Airport, runway 22L, 5,101 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 1, 2006; seat: left; flight hours: 411 total, 346 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: FFZ ## 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 20071014827889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20071014827889A), Oct 14, 2007: Maule M5235C, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot stated he left santa teresa (5T6) a little after 3:00 pm MDT to fly to the Mexico border near Douglas, Arizona, then proceeded to Falcon field… ## Other investigations on N5644N (1) 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. - [NTSB ANC01LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC01LA024), Dec 16, 2000: Maule M-5 (N5644N), King Salmon, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The loss of engine power during the landing approach due to the pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane and contamination (water) in the carburetor. 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.