What happened
During the pre-takeoff run-up, the pilot utilized onboard weather equipment to monitor local conditions, noting that the windsock appeared approximately three-quarters full. As the takeoff roll commenced on Runway 27, the aircraft was struck by a powerful gust of wind originating from the right side. This sudden lateral force caused the aircraft to drift off the left side of the runway. During the excursion, the landing gear collapsed, leading to a collision with metal pylons located near the windsock. The incident resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, the elevator, and the horizontal stabilizer.
At the time of the accident, official airport records indicated winds from 200 degrees true at 22 knots, with gusts reaching 33 knots. The aircraft was operating on a runway heading of 27 degrees. The pilot noted that no mechanical issues or malfunctions were present that would have hindered the normal operation of the aircraft prior to the wind event.
Findings
Investigation of the environmental conditions revealed that the crosswind component reached 26 knots, which significantly exceeded the aircraft's maximum demonstrated crosswind limit of 17 knots. The airport is situated in mountainous terrain known for turbulence and strong winds. Specifically, the facility directory notes that southerly crosswinds exceeding 15 knots can cause turbulence and potential windshear along the first 3,000 feet of the runway.