Light Sport student pilot reported a temporary loss of control during initial climb from a non-towered airport due to excessive crosswind.

Date: 2025-04 · Aircraft: Light Sport Aircraft · Phase: takeoff

Anomalies: inflight-event-encounter-loss-of-aircraft-control|inflight-event-encounter-weather-turbulence

Synopsis

Light Sport student pilot reported a temporary loss of control during initial climb from a non-towered airport due to excessive crosswind.

Narrative

I began my preflight; engine cowling inspection; along with all calculations needed prior to my flight. I began to taxi to runway XX. The winds were at 050 and 10 kts when I listened before taking off. I never heard the station broadcast system say the gust factor prior to or while in flight. I then began my take off and climbed up to pattern altitude. A PC-12 was coming in on a 8 mile base leg from the south for runway XY. I made my crosswind pattern leg and departed to the south maintained visual separation and let the PC-12 know I was not a factor. I then waited until they landed and said clear of the runway XY to begin a re-entry to the pattern on the downwind leg for runway XY via a 45° entry. I then did all procedures in the pattern needed; and came in for a touch and go on runway XY. Had no issues on approach; landing or takeoff; I then did another lap in the pattern following all procedures needed. Once I was on final my approach was stable I hit a pocket of very slight turbulence but maintained a stable approach. I then landed; did all procedures to begin takeoff and then began to rotate; after reaching rotation speed. At lift off I felt either turbulence or a gust of wind dictate the plane causing the plane to dance around and since I was low to the ground I tried to not let the plane get off course or any unusual attitude. Then once I was at a safe altitude in the pattern; Aircraft Y had told me the winds changed and were now favoring runway XZ. I then departed the traffic pattern again on the crosswind leg to the south and listened in to the weather station. Which did state the winds were at 330. So I waited for Aircraft Y to depart from the pattern and began to rejoin the traffic pattern again on the downwind leg at a 45° entry but for runway XZ. I did all of the procedures needed for the pattern. Once I was on final; I had a stable approach and landed safely on XZ and began to taxi back to parking. I then checked the tanks for remaining fuel and oil levels after engine shut off the aircraft parked and tied down. I did not notice any damage to the aircraft while checking the tanks or engine.

Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.