What happened
The pilot was conducting a takeoff from a narrow gravel runway under windy conditions. According to the pilot's account, a significant crosswind component was present during the departure phase. As the aircraft accelerated down the strip, it encountered a strong wind gust. The pilot reported losing control of the aircraft when it was approximately one foot above ground level (AGL). At this critical moment, the right main landing gear wheel struck a ditch located adjacent to the runway surface.
Following the impact with the ditch, the aircraft spun around on the ground. This uncontrolled rotation resulted in damage to the airframe. The pilot estimated that the wind was gusting up to 35 knots during the incident. No further details regarding specific structural damage or injuries were provided in the source text.
The investigation
The investigation relied primarily on the pilot's report of the events leading up to and following the loss of control. The physical evidence confirmed that the aircraft had sustained damage consistent with a ground loop or spin-out after the landing gear contacted a ditch. The narrow nature of the gravel strip likely limited the pilot's ability to correct for the lateral displacement caused by the wind gust.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the loss of directional control during the takeoff roll. This loss of control was directly associated with the encounter with a strong wind gust while operating from a narrow gravel strip. The presence of a ditch adjacent to the runway surface exacerbated the situation, as contact with this obstacle prevented recovery from the yawing motion induced by the crosswind.