IAD98LA083

During the takeoff ground roll on runway 36, the airplane veered off the left side of the runway and collided with trees. Examination of the accident site by an FAA Inspector revealed deep, ground scars similar to the tailwheel on the grass strip in the run-up area. There were ground scars similar to the main landing gear on the wet, tall, unmowed grass strip, for about 800 feet where the airplane accelerated on the runway, then the ground scars veered off to the left in the vicinity of the trees. The pilot said he ruled out any on ground directional correction, '...the wind caused a further drift to the left of 36 and put the aircraft in a direct path to the tree line...it was my intention to climb over the trees. Though the engine sounds indicated no anomalies, it just didn't seem to be delivering normal thrust...I came to the conclusion that clearing the trees would not be an option...I therefore opted for a controlled crash into the trees.' The pilot reported that there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane.

On July 23, 1998, at 0900 eastern daylight time, a Maule M-5-235C, N5643V, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during initial climb from a private strip near Newburg, Maine. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed. The local, personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he satisfactorily completed his preflight inspection. He said the purpose of the flight was to practice takeoffs and landings and this was the first flight of the day.

During the takeoff roll, he said he observed the left main wheel slightly off the runway. He said: "...Knowing that I would soon run out of clear space on that side of the runway, and compounded by the fact that 36 begins to downhill pretty sharply at that point I ruled out any on ground directional correction...the wind caused a further drift to the left of 36 and put the aircraft in a direct path to the tree line...it was my intention to climb over the trees. Though the engine sounds indicated no anomalies, it just didn't seem to be delivering normal thrust...I came to the conclusion that clearing the trees would not be an option...I therefore opted for a controlled crash into the trees... ." The airplane struck the tops of 60 to 80 foot tall trees, off the left side of the runway.

According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, the pilot had taxied the airplane for takeoff to the west. Examination of the accident site by the Inspector revealed deep, ground scars similar to the tailwheel on the grass strip in the run-up area. There were ground scars similar to the main landing gear on the wet, tall, unmowed grass strip, for about 800 feet where the airplane accelerated on the runway, then the ground scars veered off to the left in the vicinity of the trees.

The pilot reported over 484 hours of total flight experience, including 66 hours in make and model. He said there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane. The reported winds at the time of the accident were from 210 degrees at 3 knots.