On February 21, 1988, a Beech 77 (registration N623CH) was involved in an aviation accident near Concord, GA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot taking off from a private airstrip experienced a sudden wind shift to a 90-degree left crosswind. The left wing was lifted, the right wing stalled, and the aircraft veered into a fence. The pilot believed the crosswind limit was 24–25 knots, but the handbook states 15 knots, and reported gusts exceeded that limit by 8 knots.
Background
A pilot obtained a weather briefing indicating high winds from the northwest with strong gusts. The takeoff was conducted from a private airstrip equipped with a windsock. The windsock initially showed the wind aligned with Runway 01.
Event
As the takeoff roll began, the wind shifted to a 90-degree left crosswind. During rotation, the left wing was lifted by the crosswind, causing the right wing to stall due to blanking by the fuselage and a sudden decrease in relative wind. The right wing tip dragged along the sod runway, and the aircraft veered right into a fence.
Pilot Statements
The pilot stated he believed the crosswind limit for the aircraft was 24–25 knots. However, the pilot handbook states that the demonstrated crosswind is 15 knots. The reported gusts exceeded the crosswind limit stated in the handbook by 8 knots.