- Date
- July 22, 2001, 10:44 local (14:44 UTC)
- Place
- Houghton Lake, MI
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N56646Maule M-5-180C
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report June 3, 2002
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Parties
- FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
- FAA report
- 20010722017239A
- Case key
- 52885
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the takeoff run. A factor relating to this accident was the trees.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot said that during take off as the tail wheel was lifted off the runway, the airplane moved left abruptly. The pilot said he tried to turn right but instead hit a cone marking the left edge of the runway. The pilot said he pulled the power off but could not stop before hitting saplings. The pilot said the abrupt turn was likely caused by an unexpected crosswind gust or whirlwind that occurred at the same time the tail was lifted. An examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies. At 0955, the winds reported at Roscommon County Airport, 5 miles from the accident site on a 065 degree heading, were calm.
Factual narrative
On July 22, 2001, at 1044 eastern daylight time, a Maule, M-5-180C, N56646, operated by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it struck trees during takeoff on runway 34 (2,750 feet by 104 feet, dry grass/turf) at the Houghton Heights, Lake State Airport (5Y2), Houghton Lake, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The intended cross-country flight to Lake City, Michigan, was originating at the time of the accident.
In his written statement, the pilot said that during take off as the tail wheel was lifted off the runway, the airplane moved left abruptly. The pilot said he tried to turn right but instead hit a cone marking the left edge of the runway. The pilot said he pulled the power off but could not stop before hitting saplings. The pilot said the abrupt turn was likely caused by an unexpected crosswind gust or whirlwind that occurred at the same time the tail was lifted.
A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the airplane at 5Y2. Both wings leading edges showed bends and crushing along their entire spans. One wing was twisted aft. The cowling and fuselage showed bends and wrinkles. The propeller showed chordwise scratches. Several tree saplings in the vicinity of where the airplane came to a stop were severed. Flight control continuity between the cockpit and all control surfaces was confirmed. An examination of the engine, engine controls, and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies.
At 0955, the winds reported at Roscommon County Airport, 5 miles from the accident site on a 065 degree heading, were calm.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N56646
- Reported as
- Maule M-5-180C
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 8084C
- Airframe hours
- 1,360
- Engine
- Lycoming O-360-C1F, 180 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Timothy A. Scherer
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · March 27, 2001 · 50 hours before
- Departed
- 5Y2 · Houghton Lake, MI
- Destination
- Y91 · Lake City, MI
- Airport
- 5Y2 · Houghton Heights Lake State, runway 34, 2,750 × 104 ft, grass/turf
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 38
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
- Last flight review
- August 24, 2000
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 152 total · 60 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- Calm
- Visibility
- 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.92 inHg
- Observed at
- HTL, 5 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.