What happened
On November 2, 2008, a Piper PA18-150, registration N18338, was attempting to depart from an unimproved private airstrip near Colorado Springs, Colorado. As the aircraft reached a speed of 35 to 40 miles per hour and rotated for lift-off, it was struck by a dust devil.
Following the encounter, the aircraft rotated ninety degrees to the right. The pilot applied full opposite control inputs, but was unable to re-establish directional control. The aircraft subsequently impacted the terrain, which caused the left landing gear to collapse, followed by the collapse of the right landing gear. The impact resulted in multiple propeller ground strikes and a bent right wing spar. There were no injuries resulting from the accident.
The investigation
The pilot reported weather conditions at the time of the accident as variable winds between 7 and 10 knots, with gusts ranging from 12 to 15 knots. An hourly weather observation recorded 39 miles west of the accident site at the time of the event indicated winds from 170 degrees at four knots.