What happened
The pilot reported departing from a remarkably short airstrip measuring only 900 feet in length, situated at an elevation of 2,000 feet. During the initial climb phase immediately after takeoff, the aircraft encountered significant wind shear characterized by variable winds gusting up to 40 knots. The pilot stated that the airplane was unable to out-climb the surrounding treetops under these conditions. Subsequently, the left wing struck a tree, causing the aircraft to crash approximately 60 feet beyond the end of the runway.
Findings
The investigation highlighted several critical factors contributing to the accident. The primary issue was the aircraft's inability to achieve a sufficient climb gradient to clear obstacles immediately after departure. This performance deficit occurred in the context of challenging environmental conditions, specifically strong and variable wind gusts that likely degraded climb performance further. The short length of the runway (900 feet) at a higher density altitude (2,000 feet elevation) also played a role in the initial takeoff performance.
Safety message
Pilots operating from short fields at high elevations must carefully calculate takeoff performance and ensure adequate obstacle clearance margins. Strong gusty winds can significantly reduce climb rates, making it essential to select runways that provide sufficient length for safe departure under prevailing weather conditions.