Incident Details
The pilot of an aircraft initiated a takeoff on Runway 04. He reported the wind was from 300 to 330 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 25 knots.
Sequence of Events
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft encountered a bump in the runway, described by the pilot as a frost heave. This caused the aircraft to become airborne prematurely. As the aircraft lifted off, the pilot reported that a gust of wind from the left picked up the left wing, then pushed the aircraft sideways across the runway and through a snowbank. The plane continued flight, striking several small trees before settling to the ground.
Runway Condition
The bump in the runway was identified as a frost heave, a localized uplift caused by freezing and thawing of moisture in the ground.