What happened
The airplane departed the left side of the runway following an incident where a gust of wind lifted the left wing off the ground. This sudden lift caused the right wing to strike the surface, leading to a loss of directional control by the pilot.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of events leading to the departure from the paved surface. The primary mechanical factor identified was the interaction between the aircraft and the wind conditions at the moment of impact.
Findings
The closest weather reporting station located at Sonoma Airport, situated approximately 18 nautical miles west of Angwin, reported winds from 150 degrees at 8 knots with no gusts recorded at that specific time. Despite this report, the pilot was unable to maintain control of the airplane as it moved off the left side of the runway.
Safety message
Pilots must remain vigilant for localized wind shear and gusts that may not be reflected in standard weather reports, particularly during takeoff and landing phases when aircraft are most vulnerable to asymmetric lift.