# NTSB SEA94LA118: Maule M-5-235C, N711CX, Columbia, CA, May 13, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 13, 1994, 14:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, CA
- Coordinates: 38.109077, -120.380027 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1091&lon=-120.3800&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41924
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA118
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41924/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA118

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE CROSSWIND WAS A 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)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - pole

## Analysis

WHILE LANDING ON RUNWAY 17 THE PILOT ALLOWED THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT WING TO IMPACT THE ASPHALT. HE THEN REGAINED CONTROL AND APPLIED BRAKING. THE AIRCRAFT THEN VEERED RIGHT OFF THE RUNWAY IMPACTING A WINDSOCK POLE. A WESTERLY CROSSWIND EXISTED AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Factual narrative

On May 13, 1994, approximately 1400 hours Pacific daylight time (pdt), a tailwheel equipped Maule M-5-235C, N711CX, registered to Jerry Wilkinson, and being operated/flown by James L. White, a certificated private pilot, was substantially damaged when the aircraft's right wing impacted a windsock pole following a loss of control during landing rollout on runway 17 at the Columbia Airport, Columbia, California. The pilot and his dog were uninjured. Visual meteorological conditions with a westerly crosswind existed at the time of the accident. The flight, which was personal in nature, was to have been operated in accordance with 14CFR91, and had departed Sacramento, California, approximately 1215.

The pilot reported that just as the tailwheel was touching down a gust hit the aircraft lifting the right wing. The left wingtip momentarily scraped the runway before the pilot was able to regain control of the aircraft and begin braking. The pilot then applied brakes and the aircraft veered off the right (west) side of the runway and impacted the windsock pole.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N711CX](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N711CX), registered now, S/N 7342C (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: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 7342
- Airframe hours: 712
- Engines: LYCOMING O-540-J1A5D 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: White, James L.
- Registered owner: Wilkinson, Jerry
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Normal
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA
- Airport: O22, Columbia, runway 17, 4,670 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 5,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 18 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOD, 35 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 19940513010909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940513010909A), May 13, 1994: Maule M5235C, Columbia, CA, Substantial damage. Lost control landing in crosswind. Wing hit runway. Veered into windsock pole. Crosswind component exceeded.

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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