N31495

On November 11, 2007, about 1622 mountain standard time, a Maule MX-7-180A, N31495, collided with a tree after veering off the runway at Mogollon Airpark, Overgaard, Arizona. The student pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was not injured, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country personal flight departed Phoenix Deer Valley Airport, Phoenix Arizona, about 1520, with a planned destination of Mogollon Airpark. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot stated, in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, that after landing, he lost directional control of the airplane. The airplane veered off runway 21 to the right, descended a short embankment, and crossed a swale. The right wing tip contacted a tree and rotated the airplane 30 to 40 degrees to the right. The fuselage, right main gear, and the right wing tip were substantially damaged. The pilot further stated that the embankment and swale was steep and abrupt, and that he expected the airplane to nose over. His estimated speed was about 15 mph. The pilot also reported a moderate crosswind from the left when he exited the airplane.

According to the pilot, he had over 100 landings in the month after his solo on July 13, 2007, but only had 10 landings in the 90 days preceding the accident.

An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for Mogollon Airpark was issued at 1655. It stated: winds from 240 degrees at 6 knots; temperature 58 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 26 degrees Fahrenheit; altimeter 30.02 inHg.

According to the Mogollon Airpark Home Owner's Association president, runway 21 is 3,420 feet long and 50 feet wide. It also has an overrun of 1,200 feet in length and 30 feet in width. The runway surface is asphalt.

The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight.