# NTSB LAX97LA208: Maule M-6-235, N5653C, Salome, AZ, June 12, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 12, 1997, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Salome, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.719333, -113.650108 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7193&lon=-113.6501&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 26, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29810
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA208
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29810/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA208

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions, and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.  The gusty crosswind condition was a related factor.

## 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 - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was landing on runway 27, when the aircraft encountered a strong crosswind gust from the southwest and ground looped. He estimated the winds were from 200 degrees at 20 knots with occasional gusts to 30 knots.

## Factual narrative

On June 12, 1997, at 1145 hours mountain standard time, a Maule M-6-235, N5653C, ground looped on landing at a private airstrip near Salome, Arizona.  The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was on a local area personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage.  The airline transport pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The flight is believed to have originated at Salome on the morning of the accident at an undetermined time.

In a verbal statement to Federal Aviation Administration inspectors from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office, the pilot reported that he was landing on runway 27 when a strong crosswind gust from the southwest came up and the aircraft ground looped.  The pilot estimated the winds at the time as from 200 degrees at 20 knots with occasional gusts to 30.

The pilot did not respond to repeated requests to complete a pilot/operator aircraft accident report.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5653C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5653C), registered now, S/N 7457C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule M-6-235
- Registry model: [Maule M-6-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (registry code 5460160) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7457C
- Engines: Lycoming IO-540 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bary J. Sima
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: 2AZ1
- Airport: 2AZ1, Private Airstrip, runway 27, 2,200 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 17,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BLH, 48 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 19970612013869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970612013869A), Jun 12, 1997: Maule M6235, Salome, AZ, Substantial damage. Ground looped landing in gusty crosswind. Crosswind component was exceeded. Also a quatering tailwind problem.

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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