Accident Maule MX-7-160 N6287P, Tuesday 1 September 1998

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Date:	Tuesday 1 September 1998
Time:	19:00 LT
Type:	Maule MX-7-160
Owner/operator:	Private
Registration:	N6287P
MSN:	19018C
Total airframe hrs:	119 hours
Engine model:	Lycoming O-320-B2D
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Skaneateles, NY - United States of America
Phase:	Take off
Nature:	Private
Departure airport:
Destination airport:
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
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.

Probable Cause: The pilot's failure maintain directional control and his delayed decision to abort the takeoff. Contributing factors were trees.

Accident investigation: