Accident Details
On April 24, 2018, at approximately 1400 central daylight time, a Maule M 5-235C airplane, registration N9281E, struck a road sign during takeoff from a county road near Roxbury, Kansas. The private pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The airplane received substantial damage to its left wing from impact with the sign, and additional damage from trees and terrain during the subsequent forced landing. The flight was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal cross-country flight destined for McPherson Airport near McPherson, Kansas. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.
Pilot Account
According to the pilot's accident report, the takeoff was conducted from a county road with a crosswind. As the tail wheel left the asphalt, propeller torque caused the airplane to veer a few degrees to the left. The pilot stated he was slow to respond with rudder input and that the response was inadequate. The airplane traveled left several feet, and the left wingtip struck a highway sign just as the airplane became airborne. The impact with the sign caused an additional left turn of approximately 20 to 40 degrees and decreased lift on the left wing. The pilot was able to overcome the lift imbalance and regain general control of the airplane, which was still operating at full power with full flaps and climbing rapidly.
Concerned about visible damage to the left wing control surfaces, the pilot noted that the airplane was now heading directly toward a cell tower with guy wires. He elected to keep the wings level and continued climbing over the tower, then reduced power after clearing it. Subsequently, he chose to land in a field with a tree line at the end. Attempting a short field landing, he impacted the trees at approximately 40 knots. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions with the airplane.
Pilot Recommendation
The pilot included a safety recommendation in his report, stating that using roads for takeoff and landing fell outside his acceptable risk profile. He noted that a few practice takeoffs and landings at an airstrip would have been beneficial, given the 100-day interval since his last flight.
Weather Conditions
At 1353, the recorded weather at Salina Regional Airport, near Salina, Kansas, included wind from 320 degrees at 21 knots, gusting to 27 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 11,000 feet, temperature 20°C, dew point 9°C, and altimeter 30.16 inches of mercury. A peak wind of 27 knots from 320 degrees was recorded at 1341.
Damage and Injuries
The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane's left wing was substantially damaged by the sign impact, with additional damage from trees and terrain. The right wing was not affected by the initial impact.