What happened
A demonstration flight was being conducted from Cleveland toward Dayton for a prospective client, Columbus Aviation. During the departure phase, the aircraft encountered significant wind conditions. Immediately after leaving the ground, the pilot determined that the prevailing weather made it unsafe to proceed with the intended flight path.
To prevent the aircraft from impacting Erie Lake, the pilot initiated an emergency maneuver to land in a nearby wasteland area. During this attempt, the right wing made contact with the terrain, leading to the destruction of the plane. The impact resulted in the aircraft being declared a total loss due to damage beyond repair.
Findings
- All five occupants successfully exited the aircraft and sustained zero injuries.
- The primary factor in the accident was the extreme wind conditions encountered during takeoff, which necessitated the emergency descent.