What happened
Shortly after departing from the airfield, an aircraft struck a line of trees before coming to a final position within a churchyard. The flight was operated by a single occupant, and the pilot was killed in the accident. While no direct witnesses observed the impact itself, local inhabitants reported hearing the aircraft passing at a very low altitude. One individual noted hearing the engine running during the low-altitude pass, while another reported hearing the specific moment the plane struck the trees.
Findings
Investigation into the crash revealed that visibility was extremely poor at the time of the accident, with one local resident estimating it was only between 50 and 60 feet. This level of visibility was significantly below the airport's established takeoff minimums, which require at least 1 mile of visibility and a ceiling of 300 feet. An inspection of the aircraft found no indications of any mechanical failure or engine malfunction contributing to the event.