What happened
The pilot had completed refueling operations at a private location on his father's farm before initiating departure. The aircraft departed westward from an unpaved dirt strip. Shortly after liftoff, the airplane reached an altitude of approximately 25 feet above ground level (AGL). At this point, the aircraft entered a right-hand turn and maintained a banked attitude. The pilot lost control, and the aircraft struck the ground with its right wingtip. The impact caused the airplane to cartwheel until it came to rest. The pilot sustained serious injuries and reported having no memory of the final maneuvers leading up to the crash.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events during the initial climb phase. Examination of the wreckage confirmed a destructive ground impact consistent with a cartwheeling motion following a wingtip strike. The pilot's lack of recall regarding the final moments was noted, though no specific mechanical failure was identified in the provided narrative.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the loss of control during the initial climb. The aircraft entered an uncommanded right turn at a low altitude, which prevented recovery before impact. The unpaved nature of the departure site and the low altitude of the maneuver limited the pilot's options for recovery.
Safety message
Pilots departing from unimproved or dirt strips should be aware that obstacles and uneven terrain can complicate initial climb performance. Maintaining precise control and avoiding steep turns at low altitudes is critical to ensuring safe departure operations.