# NTSB LAX99LA196: Maule M-5-210C, N51641, Santa Ana, CA, May 22, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 21, 1999, 20:08 local (May 22, 1999, 03:08 UTC)
- Place: Santa Ana, CA
- Coordinates: 33.749439, -117.84996 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7494&lon=-117.8500&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46391
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA196
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46391/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA196

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his excessive use of the rudder to regain runway alignment.

## 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)
  - rudder - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-go landings.  He reported that the airplane landed right of centerline and he attempted to correct back to the center of the runway before initiating the takeoff.  He said that he over corrected and ground looped the airplane.  The pilot reported that the winds were from 180 degrees at 8 knots.  He further reported that there were no mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane or engine, and that weather was not a factor.

## Factual narrative

On May 21, 1999, at 2008 hours Pacific daylight time, a Maule M-5-210C, N51641, ground looped after landing on runway 19L at the John Wayne airport, Santa Ana, California.  The airplane, operated by the pilot under 14 CFR Part 91, sustained substantial damage.  The airline transport pilot/owner, the sole occupant, was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions existed for the local personal flight and no flight plan was filed.  The flight had originated at the John Wayne airport the day of the accident about 1950.

The pilot stated that he was practicing touch-and-go landings.  He reported that the airplane landed right of centerline and he attempted to correct back to the center of the runway before initiating the takeoff.  He said that he over corrected and ground looped the airplane.  The pilot reported that the winds were from 180 degrees at 8 knots.  He further reported that there were no mechanical anomalies noted with the airplane or engine, and that weather was not a factor.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N51641 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Maule M-5-210C
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6047L
- Airframe hours: 1723
- Engines: Continental IO-360-D33A 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Timothy J. Hathaway
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 16, 1998, 28 hours before
- Departed: SNA
- Airport: SNA, John Wayne/Orange County, runway 19L, 2,887 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,540 total, 23 in this make and model, 1,900 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/bright
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNA

## 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 19990521041689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990521041689A), May 21, 1999: Maule M5210C, Santa Ana, CA, No damage. (-23) Pilot was landing a/c to runway 10L at John Wayne airport (sna) when the a/c ground looped. The right wing tip and the right main landing gear were…

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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