DUTCH JOHN, UT, USA
N7111W
PIPER PA-28-180
THE PLT RPRTD THAT HE & A FRIEND WERE TAKING OFF ON A SOFT, DIRT RWY WITH AN ESTIMATED 23 KNOT HEADWIND. HE SAID THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, THE PLANE ENCOUNTERED A GUST OF WIND THAT HE ESTIMATED AS 50 KTS. THE PLANE TURNED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT WITH RIGHT RUDDER. HE SAID HE PULLED THE NOSE OFF THE GROUND AS THE PLANE DEPARTED THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT. THE PLANE FLEW OVER SAGE BRUSH BESIDE THE RUNWAY, BUT THE LEFT WING STRUCK A 10 FT HIGH CEDAR TREE ABOUT 8 FT ABOVE THE GROUND. THE PLANE THEN HIT THE GROUND & NOSED OVER.
INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITIONS BY THE PILOT, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING THE TAKEOFF GROUND RUN. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE UNFAVORABLE (VARIABLE/GUSTY) WIND CONDITION, AND THE HIGH VEGETATION AND TREE BESIDE THE RUNWAY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
Aviation Accidents App
In-Depth Access to Aviation Accident Reports
