The following details are from the official report. On April 19, 2020, at about 1500 central daylight time, a Piper PA-18 airplane, registration N3670P, was substantially damaged in an accident near Bowie, Texas. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight.
Flight Sequence
The pilot reported taxiing to the south end of a friend's private field. He completed an engine run-up and checked all systems with no anomalies. The ground roll began on a 300° heading. Flaps were extended around 40 mph indicated airspeed (IAS). The airplane lifted off with a normal ascent rate and flaps were retracted about 50 mph IAS. The pilot reported feeling as if a gust picked up the left wing, so he pushed the control stick to the left, but the airplane did not respond. He returned the stick to neutral and again moved it left, still with no response. The airplane continued to bank right and descend. As it approached the ground, the pilot pulled the throttle to idle. The airplane then struck a metal building frame on the northeast side of the field. It came to rest upright, and both occupants egressed without injury.
Post-Accident Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the grass field and determined tire tracks oriented on a 310° heading. Due to wreckage disposition, a complete examination was not possible at the site. The wreckage was moved to a secure facility for a flight control system examination. The inspector found all flight control cables attached to their respective control surfaces, except for one impact-related separation: the right aileron control cable was separated and exhibited damage from the impact sequence. No mechanical reason for the reported right bank was found.