Aircraft Accident During Departure from Unimproved Private Airstrip

Incident Overview and Pilot Account During a departure attempt from an unimproved private airstrip, the pilot reported that the aircraft rotated for lift-off at a speed of 35 to 40 miles per hour. At that moment, the pilot stated the aircraft was hit by a dust devil. The aircraft subsequently rotated ninety degrees to the right. The pilot applied full opposite control inputs but was unable to re-establish directional control. The aircraft then impacted the terrain. The impact caused the left landing gear to collapse, followed by the collapse of the right landing gear. These events resulted in multiple propeller ground strikes. The aircraft sustained a bent right wing spar. The pilot reported the weather conditions at the time of the accident as a variable seven to ten knot wind, gusting to 12 to 15 knots. An hourly weather observation taken at the time of the accident 39 miles west of the accident site showed the wind to be 170 at four knots.