What happened
The pilot was preparing for departure from the airport, utilizing two preceding aircraft as visual references. This method was necessary because the pilot's own aircraft lacked both taxi and landing lights, limiting visibility during ground operations. As the aircraft moved into the takeoff phase, it entered the wake turbulence generated by the aircraft ahead. The aerodynamic disturbance caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft.
The out-of-control situation resulted in the aircraft striking a bush located approximately 100 feet to the left of the runway centerline. Following the impact, the aircraft spun 360 degrees before coming to rest in a flat attitude on the ground.
The investigation
Investigation of the event focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control. The primary mechanical and operational factors identified were the absence of forward lighting equipment on the departing aircraft and the subsequent encounter with wake turbulence from traffic ahead.