Incident Overview
A pilot conducting his third takeoff of the day from a newly built private airstrip encountered a wind gust that led to a collision with a tree. The runway measured 1,000 feet in length and 42 feet in width, with a surface composed mostly of grass and some packed soil. As the airplane became airborne, a left quartering wind gust pushed the aircraft to the right. The right wing subsequently collided with a tree, causing the airplane to spin to the right and sustain substantial damage. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, reported no injuries.
Sequence of Events
The pilot had already completed two successful takeoffs earlier in the day. On the third attempt, after lifting off, a sudden wind gust from the left and quartering direction impacted the aircraft's trajectory. This forced the airplane to drift rightward. The right wing then made contact with a tree positioned near the runway edge. The impact caused the aircraft to rotate abruptly to the right, resulting in significant structural damage. The pilot was able to bring the airplane to a stop without further incident.
Aircraft Damage
According to the pilot, the airplane sustained substantial damage due to the wing strike and subsequent spin. Specific details of the damage areas were not provided, but the event rendered the aircraft unfit for further flight without major repairs.
Pilot and Occupant Status
The pilot reported that he was not injured in the accident. He was the only person on board.
Airstrip and Environmental Conditions
The private field was newly built, with a runway length of 1,000 feet and width of 42 feet. The surface was predominantly grass, with some areas of packed soil. No information was provided about the direction or severity of the wind beyond the pilot's description of a left quartering gust at the time of the incident.