Incident Overview
A pilot reported that during takeoff on a soft, dirt runway, a gust of wind disrupted the ground run. The pilot and a friend were aboard the aircraft. The headwind was estimated at 23 knots before the gust.
The Takeoff
According to the pilot, during the takeoff ground run, the aircraft encountered a gust of wind estimated at 50 knots. The plane turned sharply to the left. The pilot attempted to counteract this by applying right rudder.
Departure from Runway
The pilot stated that he pulled the nose off the ground as the plane departed the runway to the left. The aircraft then flew over sage brush adjacent to the runway.
Collision and Outcome
The left wing struck a 10-foot-high cedar tree, approximately 8 feet above the ground. Following the impact, the aircraft hit the ground and nosed over.