What happened
The pilot reported observing adverse weather conditions, specifically whirlwinds, in the vicinity of the airport prior to departure. However, due to thick vegetation obstructing the view at the airfield, he was not aware that these turbulent conditions persisted along his intended takeoff path.
Upon initiating liftoff, the aircraft encountered this environmental disturbance while flying at low airspeed. The sudden turbulence caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft. Subsequently, the left wing tip struck the ground, and the aircraft cartwheeled across the surface, sustaining damage in the process.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control. Examination of the site and the aircraft confirmed that the left wing tip had impacted the ground, consistent with the pilot's description of a cartwheeling motion following the initial contact.