- Date
- May 23, 2017, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place
- Sidney, ME
- Injuries
- 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N888WFMaule MX7
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Loss of control on ground
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report July 20, 2017
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- General Aviation Accidents
- Parties
- FAA
- FAA report
- 20170523005979A
- Case key
- 95236
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 delayed application of rudder and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.
Findings · 3
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff from a grass airstrip, he applied full power, and the airplane veered to the left "more than normal," and he "was late" to correct with right rudder. The airplane impacted a tree, the left wing separated, and the airplane came to rest on its left side. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that during takeoff on a grass airstrip, he applied full power and the airplane veered to the left "more than normal" and he "was late" to correct with right rudder. The airplane impacted a tree, the left wing separated, and the airplane came to rest on its left side. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N888WF
- Reported as
- Maule MX7 (160)
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 19024C
- Built
- 1994
- Airframe hours
- 615
- Engine
- Lycoming O-320-B2D, 160 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · September 18, 2016
- Departed
- PVT · Sidney, ME
- Flight plan
- Unknown
- Airport
- PVT · Private Grass Strip, runway N, 1,400 × 400 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment
- None
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
- 63
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, With waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- June 18, 2016
- Seat
- Left
- Restraint
- 3-point
- Flight hours
- 270 total · 45 in this make and model · 14 in the last 90 days · 6.5 in the last 30 days · 1 in the last 24 hours
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 260° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.75 inHg
- Observed at
- KWVL, 5 nm away
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2017, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.3 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.