N78516

On August 7, 1993, approximately 1700 hours mountain daylight time, a Cessna 188, N78516, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the road into a ditch during an attempted takeoff. The pilot, the sole occupant, reported no injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local aerial application flight, no flight plan was filed. The flight operated under 14 CFR Part 137, and the accident occurred during takeoff.

The pilot reported he pulled the airplane out of the hangar, refuelled, and performed a preflight inspection before he taxied to the 18 foot wide gravel road for takeoff. He stated everything seemed normal as he applied power for takeoff. The pilot stated "...Almost as soon as the tail came up, right wing dropped and aircraft veered to the right. Left brake applied to stop aircraft from turning right...caused aircraft to veer left 180 degrees, skid to right and slide into left ditch..." The pilot indicated periodic inspections of the roadway for foreign objects, tall weeds/grass, etc. might have prevented the accident. There was no evidence or claim of preimpact mechanical malfunction.