Borrego Valley Airport Today: Obstructions
reported; 140' tower north of approach;
Airport
Services and Amenities: Restaurant on the
field; Crosswinds; Lodging within 6 miles;
Special Events: Anza
Borrego State Park;
Airport
Area Accident History:
Accident occurred Sunday, April 10, 2005 in
Borrego Springs, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 7/7/2005
Aircraft: Maule MA-7-235C, registration:
N1033C
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot lost directional control on the
landing rollout, and the airplane collided with
terrain as it veered off the runway. The pilot said
he was landing to the southwest and he lost
directional control. The airplane veered off the
runway and sustained damage as the right wing
contacted the ground. The pilot stated that the
airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or
malfunctions during the flight. The nearest official
weather reporting station was bearing 360 degrees at
27 nautical miles. At the time of the accident the
station was reporting winds from 360 degrees at 14
knots, gusting to 22 knots.
The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as
follows:
the pilot's failure to maintain directional
control.
= = =
Accident occurred Saturday, May 11, 2002 in
Borrego Springs, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 9/30/2003
Aircraft: Ham Pitts S-1C, registration: N1PH
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The tail wheel equipped airplane veered off
runway 7 and nosed over after encountering soft soil
while landing. The pilot was interviewed by
telephone and reported that the landing was normal.
Near the end of the landing roll on runway 7, the
aircraft veered left off the runway. He said that he
was unable to correct the alignment before the
airplane departed the paved runway surface and it
nosed over after encountering soft desert-like soil.
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical
malfunctions of the airplane. The airport manager
reported the sky was clear and the winds were calm
at the time of the accident.
The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as
follows:
The failure of the pilot to maintain control
of the airplane during landing rollout resulting in
a ground loop/swerve and a nose over. The soft
terrain was a factor.
= = =
Accident occurred Thursday, May 18, 2000 in
BORREGO SPRINGS, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 7/17/2001
Aircraft: Cessna 185, registration: N9955X
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
According to the airport manager, the wind
was reported to be from the southwest at 8 to 10
knots, with higher gusts. The pilot stated that on
the landing rollout he encountered a gusting,
quartering tailwind, which lifted the left wing and
caused the airplane to veer to the right side of the
runway. The airplane then ground looped into the
soft sand beside the runway. The pilot said there
were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the
airplane.
The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as
follows:
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the
crosswind condition and his subsequent failure to
maintain directional control during landing.
= = =
Accident occurred Monday, May 15, 2000 in
BORREGO SPRINGS, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 10/9/2001
Aircraft: Cessna 152, registration: N25213
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
The pilot encountered a crosswind during
takeoff from an open dirt field. The pilot stated
that he failed to correct for the crosswind and
allowed the airplane to drift about 100 feet off
course until impacting a tree. Prior to the flight,
sheriff's officers had noted that the pilot had
landed on a public road. The pilot reported to them
that he had landed on the road as it was
conveniently located near his business. The officers
reported that for safety and other reasons, they
would not authorize the pilot to depart from the
road. In response, the pilot moved the rented
airplane into the adjacent open field, which he
believed was adequate for his departure.
The National Transportation Safety Board
determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as
follows:
The pilot's inadequate compensation for a
crosswind condition during initial takeoff climb,
which resulted a failure to maintain alignment and
the airplane drifting into a nearby tree.
Borrego Valley Airport
Approach / Landing:
