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NTSB Report
November 15, 1995 · Maule M-6-235 · N5646Z
Wisdom, MT
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 15, 1995
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wisdom, MT
Aircraft
Maule M-6-235
Tail Number
N5646Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA96LA019
THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND ROLL FROM A NARROW DRIVEWAY, HE MANEUVERED THE AIRPLANE TO THE LEFT TO AVOID A DEER. DURING THIS MANEUVER, THE LEFT WING COLLIDED WITH A FENCE POST. THE PILOT STATED THAT THE SUN WAS IN HIS EYES AND THAT THE DRIVEWAY WAS SLICK WITH SNOW AND MUD WHICH MADE CONTROLLING THE AIRPLANE DIFFICULT.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CLEARANCE FROM THE FENCE POST. FACTORS INCLUDE SUNGLARE, SLUSH COVERED TERRAIN, AND THE PILOT'S SELECTION OF UNSUITABLE TERRAIN FOR TAKEOFF.
Full Narrative
On November 15, 1995, at 0800 mountain standard time, a Maule M- 6-235, N5646Z, collided with a fence post during the takeoff ground roll from a driveway near Wisdom, Montana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. In a written statement, the pilot reported that during the takeoff ground roll from a narrow driveway, he maneuvered the airplane to the left to avoid a deer. During this maneuver, the left wing collided with a fence post. The pilot stated that the sun was in his eyes and the driveway was "slick with snow, mud and mud ruts which made the plane difficult to control."
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:00 MST
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftMaule M-6-235
Tail NumberN5646Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540 · Reciprocating · 235
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 37 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility30 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO