On September 10, 1995, a Maule M-5 (registration N5669P) was involved in an aviation accident near Belvidere, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes, which resulted in failure of each pilot to see-and-avoid the other airplane. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A Maule M-5 pilot, after an engine run-up, taxied onto the runway for takeoff and was struck by a landing Pitts S2R about 100 feet down the runway.
Circumstances
The pilot of a Maule M-5 reported that he completed a full engine run-up and cockpit check before taxiing the airplane in preparation for takeoff. He then stopped the airplane on an area between the taxiway and the runway to check for landing traffic.
Sequence of Events
Observing several airplanes, the pilot waited for two arrivals. After those airplanes landed and cleared the runway, he taxied onto the runway. The pilot stated that he had not seen any other traffic before positioning his airplane on the runway. He applied full power for takeoff. Approximately 100 feet down the runway, his airplane was impacted by a Pitts S2R, which was landing on the same runway.
The pilot further stated that before each takeoff he normally performed several 360-degree turns in his tailwheel airplane as a precaution to check for traffic, but he had not done so on this day.