NYC95LA118

The pilot was departing to the north from a grass runway and during the initial takeoff climb after takeoff, the airplane drifted right of the runway centerline. The right wing struck a wind sock pole and the airplane yawed to the right and towards trees. Witnesses saw the airplane roll to the right, until it became inverted and struck the ground. Examination of the wreckage revealed no pre-impact failure of the airplane or engine. The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, he applied aileron and rudder to correct for a cross wind; however, the right wing struck 'trees.' The pilot estimated the winds were from 270 degrees at 6 to 8 knots. Winds reported at an airport 10 miles west, were from 290 degrees at 7 knots.

On May 20, 1995, at 1050 eastern daylight time, an Aeronca 0-58B, N46181, was substantially damaged when it collided with trees during takeoff from the Air Haven Airport, Moscow, Pennsylvania. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, for the personal flight originating from the Air Haven Airport (6PA6). No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot was departing from runway 36, a 1,600 foot long, 100 foot wide, grass strip. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot estimated that the winds were from 270 degrees, at 6 to 8 knots. He stated that as the airplane accelerated during the takeoff roll to the north, he had to apply additional rudder and aileron input to correct for the cross wind.

The pilot further stated:

I was unable to maintain directional control and the aircraft right wing made contact with the trees on the right side of the runway.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector interviewed witnesses at the airport. In the FAA Inspector's statement, he reported that a witness said:

...after the aircraft rotated, a direct cross wind drifted the aircraft to the extreme right of the centerline of the grass runway [36], causing the right hand wing to contact the windsock pole. This caused the aircraft to yaw to the right and head for a small 40 foot tree. In an attempt to avoid the tree, the witnesses saw the aircraft roll more to the right until the wings were vertical...the aircraft continues rolling until it became inverted and crashed nose first at about a 30 degree attitude.

The FAA Inspector's statement also said that the witnesses observed the airplane takeoff, and that the engine was running "properly." The Inspector's report further stated that his examination of the wreckage revealed, "...Nothing unusual was found with this aircraft insofar as engine performance and flight controls."