Maule M7-235C N126MC

Summary

On 29 May 1999 at about 11:30 local time, a Maule M7-235C registered N126MC was involved in an accident near Bennington, Vermont, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 May 1999 at 11:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Bennington, Vermont, United States

Nearest airport

William H. Morse State (DDH)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Maule M7-235C

Registration

N126MC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Albany

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC99LA135

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate pre-flight briefing which resulted in control interference by the right front seat passenger.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the takeoff roll, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway centerline, and the pilot applied right rudder. The airplane then went towards the right side of the runway, and when the pilot attempted to apply left rudder, it would not depress. As the airplane departed the right side of the runway, the pilot observed that the right front passenger's right foot was extended onto the right rudder pedal. The airplane went into a ditch, and flipped over. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated that in the future, his pre-flight preparation would include telling passengers to keep their hands and feet away from the controls. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions of the engine or airframe, which included the airplane's flight controls.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.