1989-01-06: Maule M-5-210C (N9039E) — Flynn, Donald — Calexico, CA
On January 6, 1989, a Maule M-5-210C (registration N9039E) operated by Flynn, Donald was involved in an aviation accident near Calexico, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A BINDING BRAKE SYSTEM TORQUE PLATE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, AND OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH A KNOWN EFFICIENCY BY THE PILOT. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
A BINDING BRAKE SYSTEM TORQUE PLATE. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE BY OTHER MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, AND OPERATION OF THE AIRPLANE WITH A KNOWN EFFICIENCY BY THE PILOT.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
THE PLT RPRTD THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE ACFT SUDDENLY VEERED LEFT. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE ACFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, IT EXITED THE RUNWAY & COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN. AN EXAM OF THE LEFT MAIN WHEEL & BRAKE REVEALED THE TORQUE PLATE PIN WAS RUSTED, WHICH RESTRICTED WHEEL MOVEMENT. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT HAD VEERED ON OTHER RECENT FLTS, BUT NO DISCREPANCY HAD BEEN FOUND.