Accident Details
The airplane was destroyed during an in-flight collision with terrain after taking off from runway 16. The accident site was located approximately 100 feet west of the departure runway in a level farm field. The debris path extended about 150 feet from the initial point of impact to where the main wreckage came to rest. All flight and control surfaces of the airplane were present at the accident scene.
Witness Accounts
Three witnesses at the airport reported observing the accident pilot board the aircraft and taxi to the runway for takeoff. They noted that the aircraft appeared and sounded normal. One witness specifically observed the takeoff and stated that the aircraft became airborne about halfway down the runway. The witness watched the climb until the airplane reached approximately 500 feet above ground level (AGL) and estimated it was about three-quarters of the way down the runway at that point. The witness then returned to other activities and became aware of the accident a few minutes later when another witness alerted him. Upon going outside, the witness observed the accident scene and papers blowing in the wind.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, winds at the departure airport were from 210 degrees at 27 knots, gusting to 34 knots. A pilot on final approach to an airport 22 miles south of the departure airport, around the time of the accident, reported an airspeed loss of 20 knots due to low-level wind shear. This encounter occurred at approximately 150 feet AGL. An AIRMET for occasional moderate turbulence below 12,000 feet mean sea level (MSL) due to strong low-level winds was in effect, covering the departure and destination airports. Additionally, the potential for low-level wind shear below 2,000 feet AGL over southeastern Minnesota was noted.