N5644N

On October 14, 2007, about 1735 mountain standard time, a Maule, M-5-235-C, N5644N, ground looped during landing at Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, Arizona. Terrane Exploration & Reconnaissance Company LLC was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and a passenger were not injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country flight departed Santa Teresa, New Mexico, about 1510, with a planned destination of Falcon Field. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan had been filed.

In a written report to the National Transporation Safety Board, the pilot stated he lost control of the airplane on the landing roll when the airplane veered to the left. He attempted to gain control by correcting the left turn with right rudder. The airplane made an abrupt right turn and the left gear collapsed. After the propeller impacted the runway surface, the airplane came to rest perpendicular to the runway. The aircraft also sustained damage to the left wing, left horizontal stabilizer, left window, and muffler. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine.