Introduction
A chartered flight experienced an accident shortly after taking off from a dirt airstrip. The airplane nosed over after encountering sagebrush. The flight was intended to transport drilling crew members back to their home in Vernal, Utah.
Departure and Events
The pilot reported checking the temperature and winds before taking off to the south from the dirt airstrip. At rotation, approximately 3 to 4 feet off the ground, the pilot stated that the airplane encountered windshear. He said he lost control, dropped to the ground to the right of the runway, hit sagebrush, and nosed over.
Passenger Accounts
Passengers on board, who were employees of a drilling company, described the wind conditions as "calm" and stated they felt no turbulence or shear during the departure. One passenger noted that the airplane accelerated in a "zig zag" manner and then lifted off, and that the flight was smooth once airborne. This passenger reported climbing "20 to 40 feet high, then the airplane abruptly pitched nose down sinking until catching the sage brush." Another passenger stated that the airplane started on the left side of the runway in soft dirt and accelerated along the left side. He said the airplane "lifted off at a slow speed, climbed 30 to 40 feet high, then sunk back to the surface."
Environmental Conditions
The airstrip had been recently graded. The center of the runway was hard, while the sides were soft. Wind conditions reported at stations surrounding the airstrip within a radius of 57 miles ranged from calm, to out of the west at 4 knots, to out of the east-southeast at 11 knots. The average temperature in the area was approximately 75 degrees. The estimated density altitude for the area was 9,856 feet.
Post-Accident Examination
An examination of the airplane showed no pre-impact anomalies. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the pilot was not certified to fly under Title 14 CFR Part 135, on-demand air taxi regulations.