What happened
The aircraft experienced a stall at low altitude and crashed during the initial climb phase of takeoff. The pilot reported that during the ground roll, the left ski became lodged in the snow, forcing the aircraft to pivot approximately 45 degrees to the left. Rather than aborting the takeoff, the pilot elected to continue the acceleration.
The pilot noted that this was not the first instance of the ski catching in the snow; previously, ground personnel had assisted in pivoting the aircraft back into alignment. On this occasion, however, ground support was unavailable due to the late hour and the distance from the main facility. After correcting his heading by hitting several snowdrifts, the pilot became airborne.
Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of approximately 50 feet. At this point, the wing lost lift, causing the aircraft to roll to the left before impacting the ground. The wind was from the west at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The pilot had originally oriented for a southward takeoff before the deviation occurred.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical and operational aspects of the event. Examination revealed that the left ski had become entangled in the snow during the ground roll. This entanglement caused an unintended yaw to the left, disrupting the takeoff path. The pilot's decision to continue the takeoff despite the loss of directional control contributed to the subsequent aerodynamic stall.
Findings
Contributing factors included the pilot's decision to continue the takeoff after losing directional control on the runway. The lack of ground assistance, due to time and distance constraints, left the pilot to manage the situation alone. The snow conditions played a critical role in the initial loss of control. The aircraft's performance was further compromised by the low altitude at which the stall occurred, leaving insufficient height for recovery.
Safety message
Pilots operating from unprepared or snow-covered strips should be aware of the risks associated with ski entanglement. If directional control is lost during the takeoff roll, aborting the takeoff is often the safest course of action, even if ground assistance is not immediately available. Continuing a takeoff with compromised control can lead to catastrophic outcomes at low altitudes.