# NTSB NYC98LA178: Maule MX-7-160, N6287P, Skaneateles, NY, September 1, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 1, 1998, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Skaneateles, NY - Coordinates: 42.889514, -76.370758 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8895&lon=-76.3708&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 43946 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC98LA178 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43946/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC98LA178 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure maintain directional control and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff. Contributing factors were trees. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - aborted - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The tail-wheel airplane was departing a 1,900 foot long, 70 foot wide, grass runway. According to the pilot, '...Full power was brought up and the brakes were released. The aircraft veered immediately to the left and not having airspeed to correct, I could not bring it to centerline. The [airplane] accelerated but continued to the left...' The pilot then aborted the takeoff, however, the airplane continued to left, impacted a tree, and flipped over. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine. The pilot stated he did not remember if the airplane's tail wheel was straight when he commenced the takeoff roll. ## Factual narrative On September 1, 1998, about 1800 eastern daylight time, a Maule MX-7-160, N6287P, was substantially damaged during takeoff from a private unlisted grass airstrip in Skaneateles, New York. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In a written statement, the pilot said he taxied the tail-wheel airplane to runway 28, a 1,900 foot long, 70 foot wide, grass runway. He further stated: "...Full power was brought up and the brakes were released. The aircraft veered immediately to the left and not having airspeed to correct, I could not bring it to centerline. The [airplane] accelerated but continued to the left so I aborted the takeoff, chopped the power, and applied brakes. As the [airplane] skidded almost to a stop, the left wing clipped a small pine tree. The airplane flipped over and skid to a stop. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact abnormalities of the airframe or engine. During an interview with an FAA Inspector, the pilot stated he did not remember if the airplane's tail wheel was straight when he commenced the takeoff roll. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6287P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6287P), registered now, S/N 19018C (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maule MX-7-160 - Registry model: [Maule MX-7-160](https://openairdocs.org/model/maule-mx-7-160) (registry code 5470203) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 19018C - Airframe hours: 119 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-B2D 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Donald P. Trabolb - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 14, 1998, 0 hours before - Departed: NONE - Airport: NONE, Trabold'S, runway 28, 1,900 × 70 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,000 total, 40 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: SYR, 19 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 (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19980901022519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980901022519A), Sep 1, 1998: Maule MX7160, Skaneateles, NY, Substantial damage. Acft crashed under unknown circumstances. (-23) the pilot, Mr. Donald trabold, started takeoff with tail wheel airplane. The pilot does not remember making… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.