NTSB Factual Report

On November 6, 2001, at 1230 central standard time, a Maule MX-7, N108MS, sustained substantial damage when it veered off the runway during takeoff and nosed over. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was departing runway 30 (2,971feet by 38 feet, asphalt) Morey Airport (C29), Middleton, Wisconsin, on a local flight. The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported the windsock indicated an 8 - 10 knot left crosswind during takeoff. The pilot reported he applied the proper crosswind takeoff techniques and the airplane tracked straight down the centerline. He reported the airplane lifted off the runway after 300 - 400 feet of travel down the runway. After liftoff, the airplane started to track to the right. The pilot reported, "The plane reached a level of a few feet above the ground and than sank back to the ground." The pilot reported that he pulled back on the throttle and attempted to abort the takeoff. The airplane's heading at touchdown was about 330 degrees, and it continued to travel across a turf runway and into a stubble cornfield. After traveling about 200 feet in the cornfield, the airplane nosed over in the soft ground. The pilot reported the airplane did not have a mechanical malfunction.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper rotation and failure to maintain directional control during takeoff. Additional factors were the crosswind and the soft terrain.