N6968M

On June 30, 2002, at 1545 mountain daylight time, a Stinson 108-3, N6968M, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when during initial takeoff roll, the airplane departed the left edge of runway 15 (6,000 feet by 60 feet, dry asphalt) at Meadow Lake Airport (OOV), Colorado Springs, Colorado, and nosed over. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was being conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 without a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries. The local flight was originating when the accident occurred.

The pilot reported that on takeoff roll and at 40 miles per hour, he raised the tail of the airplane. Shortly thereafter, the airplane started moving to the left of runway centerline. The pilot reported he applied right rudder, but the airplane continued moving left as if a brake was dragging. The pilot reduced power in an attempt to abort the takeoff, but the airplane continued left off of the runway into the grass. The propeller struck the ground and the airplane went up on its nose and over on its back.

In a statement to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, the pilot said that there was a crosswind and there might have also been a brake hang-up.

In a statement made to a fixed-base operator employee, just after the accident, the pilot said a gust of wind got him.

An examination of the airplane revealed the vertical stabilizer and rudder were crushed downward. The spinner was bent inward. The wingtips were scraped. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The airplane's engine, engine controls, and other airplane systems revealed no anomalies.

At 1554, the Aviation Routine Weather Report for the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, Colorado Springs, Colorado, heading 205 degrees magnetic at 9 miles from OOV, was few clouds at 12,000 feet, visibility 8 miles, temperature 91 degrees Fahrenheit (F), dew point 38 degrees F, winds 100 at 17 knots, gusts to 21 knots, and an altimeter of 30.19 degrees of Mercury.

The owner of a fixed-base operation(FBO) at OOV said that the winds were out of the west that day, approximately 260 degrees, and they were gusting. The FBO owner could not provide and estimate of the wind speed, but said they were strong enough that they suspended flying operations.