# NTSB LAX99LA045: Maule M-5-235C, N5636M, Inyokern, CA, November 28, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 27, 1998, 17:25 local (Nov 28, 1998, 01:25 UTC)
- Place: Inyokern, CA
- Coordinates: 35.879001, -118.150047 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.8790&lon=-118.1500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 5 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 45432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA045

## Probable cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft while landing.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - runway
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot said he landed 'a little fast' on the runway and the aircraft ground looped.  The right wing tip impacted the terrain and the landing gear collapsed.  The pilot reported that the winds were calm at the time of the accident.  The pilot further reported that he had approximately 27 hours in tail wheel aircraft, all in this specific make and model.

## Factual narrative

On November 27, 1998, at 1725 hours Pacific standard time, a Maule M-5-235C, N5636M, ground looped on landing at the Inyokern, California, airport.  The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the private pilot and four passengers, the sole occupants, were not injured.  The personal flight, conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, originated at the California City Airport at 1645, and was terminating at the time of the accident.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that after landing "a little fast" on runway 33, the aircraft spun to the right.  The right wing tip impacted the terrain and the landing gear collapsed.  The pilot reported that the winds were calm at the time of the accident.  The pilot further reported that he had approximately 27 hours in tail wheel aircraft, as well as in the specific make and model.  A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the pilot's logbook and reported that he had a tail wheel endorsement from the aircraft owner.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5636M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5636M), registered now, S/N 7310C (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Maule M-5-235C
- 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: 7310C
- Airframe hours: 2692
- Engines: Lycoming O-540-5IA5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William Woodward
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 10, 1998, 58 hours before
- Departed: L71, CALIFORNIA CITY, CA
- Destination: IYK
- Airport: IYK, Inyokern, runway 33, 7,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,085 total, 27 in this make and model, 1,080 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19981127040649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981127040649A), Nov 27, 1998: Maule M5235C, Inyokern, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 27, 1998, at 1725 hours pacific standard time, a Maule M-5-235C, N5636M, ground looped on landing at the Inyokern, California, airport. The…

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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