Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during takeoff from an airport situated in a valley, a quartering left tail wind necessitated the use of Runway 17. The pilot noted that a mountain was located close to the runway centerline to the right, along with power lines and other hazards. As the aircraft was configured for climb, it was maneuvered approximately 200 feet left of the centerline.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, at about 500 feet above ground level (AGL), the aircraft encountered wind shear or a downdraft. The airspeed dropped from 110 mph to just under 90 mph, and some altitude was lost. The pilot applied full power but then realized he had become temporarily disoriented when he observed that his heading had changed 20 degrees to the left.
Collision
While attempting to correct the situation, the airplane struck several trees and subsequently impacted the ground. The details of the aircraft type, registration, operator, location, date, time of day, number of occupants, injuries, and extent of damage were not provided in the source report.