Accident Details
A commercial certificated pilot was conducting a cross-country personal flight under Title 14, CFR Part 91, departing from a remote cabin airstrip. The airstrip, oriented northeast/southwest, was approximately 800 feet long and 20 feet wide, with a surface of tundra and rock. The pilot departed toward the southwest with 10 degrees of flaps selected.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, after liftoff, the airplane reached an altitude of about 10 feet when it encountered a downdraft. This forced the airplane downward into high brush and a tree, located about 200 feet beyond the end of the airstrip. The airplane subsequently nosed over, sustaining structural damage to the wings and empennage.
Environmental Conditions
The pilot reported that convective activity and turbulence associated with thunderstorms were present in the vicinity, along with light rain showers. No other weather or environmental factors were noted in the account.