What happened
A witness observed an aircraft departing from runway 15. As the plane lifted off, it veered to the left side of the runway and went over the edge. It then descended down a steep embankment that was approximately 100 feet high. The impact caused significant damage to the left wing and the fuselage of the aircraft.
The pilot stated that a strong gust of wind struck the plane at the exact moment it was lifting off the ground. This sudden force likely contributed to the loss of control and the subsequent departure from the runway environment.
The investigation
Investigators consulted with a local meteorologist to determine the weather conditions at the time of the accident. The data showed that the wind was coming from directions between 210 and 270 degrees. The sustained wind speed was 15 knots, with gusts reaching up to 21 knots.
Findings
The combination of the aircraft's position on the runway and the weather conditions played a role in the event. The pilot reported experiencing a gust of wind just as the aircraft was becoming airborne. This suggests that the turbulence may have affected the stability of the plane during the critical takeoff phase.