What happened
The accident occurred shortly after takeoff from a private grass strip. The pilot was executing a left turn when he reported encountering wind shear conditions. Due to the low altitude at which this event took place, the pilot stated there was insufficient height available to recover the aircraft from the deteriorating flight path.
The aircraft subsequently impacted the tops of nearby trees. Following the initial impact, the plane fell to the ground and came to rest upside down. The force of the crash resulted in a post-crash fire that completely destroyed the aircraft.
The investigation
Investigation findings relied heavily on the pilot's account of the events leading up to the crash. The primary mechanical factor identified was the inability to maintain altitude due to the sudden change in wind conditions during the low-level maneuver. The structural integrity of the airframe was compromised by the impact with vegetation and the ground, followed by the destruction caused by the fire.
Findings
The sequence of events highlights the dangers of performing maneuvers at low altitudes near obstacles. The combination of wind shear and limited recovery altitude left no margin for error. The pilot and his passenger sustained minor injuries during the incident. However, the aircraft was totaled due to the post-crash fire.
Safety message
Pilots should be aware that wind shear can occur unexpectedly during takeoff and landing phases. Maintaining adequate altitude before initiating turns is critical to ensure sufficient room for recovery if unexpected aerodynamic conditions are encountered.