# NTSB WPR09LA204: Maule M-5-235C, N9219E, Los Angeles, CA, April 16, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 16, 2009, 13:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Los Angeles, CA - Coordinates: 34.259445, -118.41333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2594&lon=-118.4133&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 10, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73688 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09LA204 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73688/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73688 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09LA204 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswinds and failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Maule M-6-235, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=5460160), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during landing on Runway 30, the airplane bounced and touched down a second time in a three-point landing. During the landing roll, the airplane began to weathervane to the left. The pilot added right rudder and left aileron, and the airplane abruptly turned to the right and departed the runway. The airplane began skidding in the dirt, the left main landing gear failed, and the left wing tip impacted the ground. The winds were from 230 degrees at 10 knots at the time of the accident, giving a calculated left crosswind component of 9 knots for the landing. Examination of the airplane found no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have contributed to a loss of directional control. ## Factual narrative On April 16, 2009, approximately 1320 Pacific daylight time, a tail wheel equipped Maule M-5-235C airplane, N9219E, sustained substantial damage during the landing roll and subsequent ground loop at Whiteman Airport (WHP), Los Angeles, California. The airline transport pilot was not injured, and his private pilot-rated passenger received minor injuries. The passenger/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country check ride, which had originated from Santa Paula, California, about 1300. A flight plan had not been filed. The airline transport pilot, who was a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, reported that he was giving a check ride to the passenger, which the passenger had successfully completed. On the return flight to their airport of origination, the passenger asked him if he would like to fly the airplane. The FAA inspector took control of the airplane (becoming the pilot-in-command) and entered the traffic pattern for a full stop landing. The landing was made on runway 30, a 4,120-foot-long and 75-foot-wide asphalt runway. The pilot stated that the Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS) reported the wind at 230 degrees at 10 knots. The pilot noted that while on final approach, very little crosswind correction was necessary to maintain the runway's centerline. On touchdown, the airplane bounced and touched down a second time in a three-point landing. A couple of seconds later, during the landing roll, the airplane began to weathervane to the left. The pilot stated that his initial right rudder input was insufficient and he applied full right rudder and more left aileron. The airplane abruptly turned to the right and departed the runway at about a 45-degree angle. The airplane began skidding sideways in the dirt, the left main landing gear failed inward, and the left wing tip impacted the ground. The reported wind at Whiteman Airport at 1247 was from 230 degrees as 10 knots, which agrees with the pilot's report. Using this wind, the crosswind component for the landing was calculated to be a 9-knot left crosswind component. Post accident examination of the airplane by an FAA inspector revealed structural damage to the left wing and left horizontal stabilizer. The examination found no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have contributed to a loss of directional control. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9219E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9219E), registered now, S/N 7140C, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MAULE M-5-235C - Registry model: [Maule M-6-235](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-m-6-235) (registry code 5460160) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7140C - Airframe hours: 1315 - Engines: LYCOMING O-540 SERIES 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Lawson John R - Registered owner: Lawson John R - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 2008, 17 hours before - Departed: SZP, Santa Paula, CA - Destination: WHP, Los Angeles, CA - Airport: WHP, Whiteman Airport, runway 30, 4,120 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 8, 2008; seat: left; flight hours: 500 total, 440 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours - Check pilot; age 46; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review January 30, 2009; seat: right; flight hours: 5,100 total, 1 in this make and model, 3,900 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Observed at: WHP ## 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 20090416004719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090416004719A), Apr 16, 2009: Maule M5235C, Los Angeles, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] was manipulating the flight controls while landing N9219E on runway 30 at Whiteman Airport when the aircraft bounced on the runway… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 21, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73688. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315243&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 36 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40315244&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.