# NTSB LAX92LA317: Maule MX-7-180, N6138Y, Lovelock, NV, July 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1992, 17:20 local (Jul 28, 1992, 00:20 UTC)
- Place: Lovelock, NV
- Coordinates: 40.31937, -118.20095 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3194&lon=-118.2010&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 30, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27703
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA317
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27703/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA317

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PRESENCE OF DUST DEVILS IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT.

## 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
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT WHEN HE OVERFLEW THE AIRPORT THE WIND SOCK WAS LIMP. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN A GENTLE TURN TO THE RIGHT WHICH HE CORRECTED.  AFTER A GROUND ROLL OF ABOUT 300 FEET THE AIRCRAFT MADE AN ABRUPT LEFT TURN. THE PILOT SAID HE LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED.  THE PILOT ALSO STATED THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT HE NOTED THE PRESENCE OF DUST DEVILS IN THE VICINITY OF THE AIRPORT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6138Y](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6138Y-2011-09-08), registration cancelled 2011-09-08, S/N 11061C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE MX-7-180
- Registry model: [Maule MX-7-180](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-180) (registry code 5470205) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 11061C
- Airframe hours: 240
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Charles Perez
- Registered owner: Charles Perez
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 27, 1991, 88 hours before
- Departed: WVI, WATSONVILLE, CA
- Airport: LOL, Derby Field, runway 1, 5,530 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 2,189 total, 149 in this make and model, 60 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 99 °F

## 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 19920727027609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920727027609A), Jul 27, 1992: Maule MX7180, Lovelock, NV, Substantial damage. Lost directional control and ground looped on landing. Noted dust devils in area

## Other investigations on N6138Y (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 WPR10CA455](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA455), Sep 11, 2010: Maule MX7 (N6138Y), Willows, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control.

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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