Departure and Initial Climb
The pilot and three passengers departed on runway 18, a 2,000-foot-long, 40-foot-wide turf runway. According to a passenger, the airplane lifted off the ground approximately halfway down the runway, then settled back onto the runway before lifting off again near the end. The airplane began to climb and initially seemed normal.
Encounter with Wind Gust
As the airplane climbed above the trees, it encountered a sudden wind gust. At that point, the airplane began to sink, the right wing lifted, and the nose dropped. The airplane impacted the ground approximately 510 feet south and 100 feet east of the extended centerline of the runway. A post-crash fire ensued.
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact malfunctions.
Wind and Weight Information
Winds reported at an airport about 11 miles west-northwest of the accident site approximately 30 minutes prior to the accident were from 280 degrees at 10 knots, with 15-knot gusts, variable from 250 to 310 degrees. An estimated weight and balance calculation revealed the accident flight was conducted at a weight near the airplane's maximum gross weight.