# NTSB LAX98LA044: Maule M-7-235B, N611BY, San Martin, CA, November 24, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 24, 1997, 13:52 local (21:52 UTC)
- Place: San Martin, CA
- Coordinates: 37.099056, -121.600624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0991&lon=-121.6006&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA044
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30002/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA044

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition and his failure to maintain directional control.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

The pilot reported that he was attempting to takeoff in a 50-degree, 10-knot crosswind condition and lost control of the aircraft.  The aircraft was inspected on-scene and no mechanical malfunctions were noted.

## Factual narrative

On November 24, 1997, at 1352 hours Pacific standard time, a Maule M-7-235B, N611BY, ground looped and nosed over at the San Martin, California, airport while practicing touch-and-go landings on runway 32.  The aircraft was substantially damaged, and the pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed for the personal local flight that departed the Reid-Hillview airport, San Jose, California, at 1300 and was scheduled to terminate at the same airport the same day.  No flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he lost control of the aircraft on a crosswind takeoff.  In his written statement the pilot stated that the winds were from 270 degrees at 10 knots.

A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the San Jose, California, Flight Standards District Office, examined the aircraft and reported that no mechanical malfunctions were noted.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N611BY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N611BY), registered now, S/N 23021C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule M-7-235B
- Registry model: [Maule M-7-235B](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-7-235b) (registry code 5460109) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 23021C
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-B 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Phillip L. Wright
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: RHV, SAN JOSE, CA
- Airport: Q99, San Martin, runway 32, 5,000 × 300 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 296 total, 46 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °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 19971124040389A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971124040389A), Nov 24, 1997: Maule M7235B, San Martin, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft went form ground loop to a nose over condition.

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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