Incident Overview
The pilot-in-command (PIC) of an aircraft reported an accident during a landing or takeoff roll on a grass runway. The aircraft's left wing contacted a pole after the pilot deviated from the intended track while attempting to avoid a golf cart.
Pilot Statement
The PIC stated that he "failed to maintain proper control of the aircraft, deviated from an acceptable track down a grass runway (270) and contacted a pole with the left wing" while he "was in the process of turning out to avoid another object." He described his first reaction upon feeling the contact as "disbelief, because I knew I could not have struck the cart, and the pole simply hadn't registered in my mind at all."
Environmental Conditions
At the time of the incident, winds were calm, and the sky was heavily overcast with gray conditions and light precipitation. The grass runway had no markings delineating its boundary or centerline.
Contributing Factors
According to the PIC, neither he nor the passenger ever saw the pole. The pole was ordinarily marked with a bright yellow parachute extending outward and centered around it. However, the parachute had been removed, so the pole's appearance differed from the pilot's expectation. The PIC noted that because the usual vivid yellow marker was absent, he had no incentive to execute corrective action.
Sequence of Events
The PIC was maneuvering the aircraft down the grass runway oriented at 270 degrees. After a comment from the passenger, he noticed a bright white golf cart and began to steer away from it. During this evasive maneuver, the left wing struck the pole. The pole was not seen by either occupant prior to the collision.