# NTSB LAX92LA372: Maule M5-180C, N8070, San Jose, CA, September 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 1, 1992, 10:01 local (17:01 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.34045, -121.899757 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3404&lon=-121.8998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27751
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA372
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27751/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA372

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGED LANDING FLARE WHICH RESULTED IN A BOUNCED LANDING AND THE PILOT'S IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM THE BOUNCED LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, go-around (vfr)
  - recovery from bounced landing - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - object - sign

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT BOUNCED ON LANDING AND YAWED TO THE RIGHT. THE PILOT APPLIED POWER FOR A GO AROUND, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO MECHANICAL FAILURES OR MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8070](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8070), registered now, S/N 8070C, built 1985 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAULE M5-180C
- 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: 8070C
- Airframe hours: 690
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C1F 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: El Toro Marine Aero Club
- Registered owner: Edwards, John H.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 1992, 4 hours before
- Departed: NZJ, MCAS EL TORO, CA
- Destination: SJC, SAN JOSE, CA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SJC, San Jose Int'L, runway 29, 4,599 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 221 total, 7 in this make and model, 160 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SJC, 1 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 19920901034939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920901034939A), Sep 1, 1992: Maule M5180C, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced on landing. Yawed to right. Tried go around,lost control and ground looped.

## Other investigations on N8070 (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 SEA03LA120](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA03LA120), Jun 28, 2003: Maule M-5-235C (N8070), Moses Lake, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: An improper flare which resulted in a bounced landing during landing. The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and soft terrain were factors which eventually led to the aircraft nosing over.

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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