Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary NYC07CA066

Alton, NH, USA

Aircraft #1

N10438

Maule MXT-7-180A

Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel airplane aligned the airplane on the ice runway and advanced the throttle for takeoff. The airplane began to slide left, and the pilot reduced the throttle and applied full right rudder; however, the airplane continued sliding left and impacted a truck parked about 20 feet from the left edge of the runway. A 125-foot safety area existed around the runway, but there were no markings or signage present to prevent vehicles from encroaching on that area. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot wrote, "Due to the extremely slick conditions, slower application of power may have kept [the] aircraft from sliding left."

Factual Information

According to the pilot of the Maule MXT-7-180A, he aligned the airplane on the ice runway and advanced the throttle for takeoff. The airplane began to slide left, so the pilot reduced the throttle and applied full right rudder; however, the airplane continued sliding left and impacted a truck parked about 20 feet from the left edge of the runway. According to the airport manager, a 125-foot safety area existed around the runway, but there were no markings or signage present to prevent vehicles from encroaching on that area. When asked how the accident could have been prevented, the pilot stated "Due to the extremely slick conditions, slower application of power may have kept [the] aircraft from sliding left."

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the takeoff roll. Factors were the slick condition of the runway, and the lack of markings to denote the runway safety area.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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