Accident Details
The airplane impacted terrain while attempting to land at the departure airport immediately after takeoff. The impact occurred with the left wing first, approximately 36 feet to the left of runway 18. The wreckage path was about 77 feet long and oriented on a magnetic heading of 145 degrees. An on-site inspection of the airframe, engine, and related systems revealed no evidence of pre-impact malfunction.
Weather Conditions
A Convective SIGMET was in effect at the time of the accident and covered the accident location. The SIGMET was issued for a severe line of thunderstorms moving east-southeast at 20 knots, with cloud tops reaching 41,000 feet mean sea level (MSL), wind gusts of 60 knots, and 1.5-inch diameter hail. Weather radar indicated intense to extreme returns (50 to 55 dBZ), corresponding to level 5 and 6 thunderstorms, which passed over the accident site between 1659 and 1729. Radial wind velocity plots showed northerly winds of 36 knots or greater as the thunderstorms passed over. A witness reported that wind was blowing "extremely hard from the west" and that leaves and debris were "blowing almost horizontally above the road surface." The airport is located in a valley flanked by higher elevation to the west and east.
Witness and Passenger Accounts
The passenger reported that prior to takeoff, the weather at the airport was "sunny and nice, with a slight breeze." The takeoff was described as "real smooth," but after turning to the west, they immediately saw dark clouds. The pilot decided to return to the airport because of the approaching storm. The passenger noted that the pilot did not verify weather conditions prior to departure and that the approaching storm was not visible from the airport. Witnesses observed the airplane banking erratically while on approach to runway 18. One witness stated that the airplane "turned on its left side and went behind the trees."