What happened
The pilot was operating a short takeoff and landing (STOL) equipped airplane when he initiated departure from a gravel airstrip. The airfield was situated in an area bordered by dense trees, creating a confined environment for the maneuver. Shortly after becoming airborne, the aircraft climbed to approximately 100 feet above the ground level.
At this altitude, the pilot reported encountering turbulence. This sudden disturbance caused the pilot to lose control of the airplane. Unable to recover from the loss of control, the aircraft descended and collided with trees located near the airstrip. The impact resulted in significant damage to the airframe.
The investigation
Following the accident, a thorough postaccident inspection of the wreckage was conducted to determine the condition of the aircraft prior to the collision. Inspectors examined various systems and components for signs of failure or malfunction that might have contributed to the loss of control.
The examination disclosed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical anomalies. All inspected systems appeared to be functioning normally before the turbulence encounter. This finding suggests that the loss of control was not caused by a mechanical failure of the aircraft itself.