Primary finding
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain direction control which resulted from a inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions. Factors related to the accident were the pilot's diverted attention, the crosswind, the trees which were contacted.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported paying attention to the airspeed indicator during the initial takeoff climb and failed to notice the airplane drifted to the right. The right wing contacted trees and the airplane settled into a wooded area. The takeoff was being made on runway 27. A weather reporting facility, 14 nm southeast, reported winds from 190 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 20.
Source record
Factual narrative
On May 29, 1994, at 1330 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28- 140, N55835, operated by Dean W. Boyd collided with trees during takeoff from the Lodi Lakeland Airstrip, a private field, in Lodi, Wisconsin, while on a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries, a third passenger was seriously injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that during the takeoff climb, he was paying attention to the airspeed indicator and failed to notice that the airplane had drifted to the right. The right wing contacted trees at an altitude of 40 to 50 feet above ground level and the airplane settled into a wooded area. The pilot reported the airplane lifted off approximately 3/4 the way down the runway. The takeoff was being made on runway 27 (1,900' x 75') and reported winds at Madison, Wisconsin, 14 miles southeast, were from 190 degrees at 14 knots gusting to 20 knots. -