On April 23, 2006, a Maule M-5-210C (registration N62015) was involved in an aviation accident near Linville, VA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's improper decision to depart with a tailwind. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The pilot of an airplane aborted a takeoff from a 900-foot grass runway after forgetting to set flaps, overrunning the runway and impacting trees.
Accident Sequence
The pilot conducted a preflight inspection, taxi, and run-up without noting any abnormalities with the airplane. The pilot preferred to depart to the northeast because obstructions were located at the southwest end of the 900-foot long grass runway, despite a tailwind. During the takeoff roll, the pilot typically set the flaps to 10 degrees, but on this occasion he forgot to set them. The downwind takeoff roll extended beyond the normal liftoff point. At approximately 650 feet down the runway and at an indicated airspeed of about 40 mph, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. The airplane subsequently overran the end of the runway and impacted trees.
Pilot Report
Following the accident, the pilot reported that the tailwind may have been stronger than he anticipated.