What happened
The incident occurred while a private pilot was attempting to depart from a gravel bar. The available runway area was notably narrow and free of obstructions, but the pilot reported the presence of a left crosswind during the operation. As the aircraft accelerated down the takeoff run, it encountered a berm on the surface. This irregularity caused the airplane to bounce upward into the air. Upon landing or remaining airborne after the bounce, the aircraft drifted toward the right side of the path. During this drift, the right wing struck a tree, and simultaneously, the left tire became hooked on a stump, halting the forward motion.
The investigation
The physical evidence indicated that the takeoff surface presented challenges due to its natural state as a gravel bar. The presence of a berm was identified as a critical factor during the ground roll. The interaction between the aircraft and the terrain features, specifically the berm and the subsequent contact with vegetation and stumps, resulted in the cessation of the flight.
Findings
The sequence of events suggests that the combination of a narrow takeoff area, a left crosswind condition, and an uneven surface contributed to the loss of control or directional stability during the critical phase of flight. The bounce caused by the berm likely compromised the pilot's ability to maintain the intended track, leading to the rightward drift into obstacles.