# NTSB LAX89LA079: Maule M-5-210C, N9039E, Calexico, CA, January 6, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: January 5, 1989, 16:15 local (Jan 6, 1989, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Calexico, CA
- Coordinates: 32.690418, -115.510032 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6904&lon=-115.5100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 4 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 22, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89LA079
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89LA079

## Probable cause

A BINDING BRAKE SYSTEM TORQUE PLATE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, AND OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH A KNOWN EFFICIENCY BY THE PILOT.

## 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
  - maintenance - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - binding(mechanical) (cause)
  - directional control - not possible
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT SUDDENLY VEERED LEFT. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE ACFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT EXITED THE RUNWAY & COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. AN EXAM OF THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL & BRAKE REVEALED THE TORQUE PLATE PIN WAS RUSTED, WHICH RESTRICTED WHEEL MOVEMENT. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT HAD VEERED ON OTHER RECENT FLTS, BUT NO DISCREPANCY HAD BEEN FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9039E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9039E), registered now, S/N 6194C, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-210C
- Registry model: [Maule M-5-210C](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-5-210c) (registry code 5460134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6194C
- Airframe hours: 346
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Flynn, Donald
- Registered owner: Martin, Charles  M
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 22, 1988, 57 hours before
- Departed: MEXICALI
- Destination: CLX
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: CXL, Calexico

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,119 total, 26 in this make and model, 1,046 as pilot in command, 32 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: IPL, 12 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 19890105000249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890105000249A), Jan 5, 1989: Maule M5210C, Calexico, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing and ground looped runway, found brake torque plate pin rusted and binding.

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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