Takeoff from Grass Strip Ends in Crash (N83454)

Accident Details

Witnesses and an FAA inspector who visited the crash site reported that the pilot was taking off to the west from a grass strip adjacent to and parallel to a dirt road. The pilot stated that there were "some bumps in the grass strip and the wind was nearly a direct cross wind." After becoming airborne to approximately 50 feet above ground level, the pilot reported that "I started to come back down and go to the north from the wind." He further stated that "right before the ground I pulled up with the stick, but hit hard with the right wheel and wing."

Examination Findings

The FAA inspector observed that the airplane impacted the terrain on its left side, damaging the left main landing gear and left wing. The aircraft subsequently came to rest inverted. A postcrash examination of the wreckage revealed no fuel in the airplane; however, the airplane had been inverted for two days before the examination. The FAA inspector could not identify any anomalies with the airplane or the engine.