Primary finding
Probable cause
An encounter with wind shear on initial climb after takeoff.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot stated that the departure airport has hills located to the east and north of the airport. He obtained an abbreviated computer weather briefing before the flight indicating that the surface winds were from 040 degrees at 6 knots. The surface winds at another airport located 20 nautical miles east of the departure airport were from 240 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot departed from runway 4 and started a right turn while flying 100 to 200 feet above ground level just past the hill located to the east. The pilot stated that the airspeed immediately decreased, the airplane became "mushy," and then made contact with a tree. The pilot stated that he encountered a wind change or wind shear swirling between the two hills. The airplane continued to lose altitude, and he made an off-field landing in an open field. The airplane hit an electrical line as he landed the airplane perpendicular to a road. The airplane collided with an embankment and burst into flames. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident.
Source record
Factual narrative
The pilot stated the departure airport has hills located to the east and north of the airport. He obtained an abbreviated computer weather briefing before the flight. The surface winds at the departure airport were 040 degrees at 6 knots. The surface winds at another airport located 20 nautical miles east of the departure airport were 240 degrees at 11 knots, gusting to 14 knots. The pilot departed from runway 4 and started a right turn between 100 to 200 feet AGL just past the hill located to the east. The airspeed on the airplane immediately decreased. The airplane became mushy, and the airplane contacted a tree. The pilot stated he encountered a wind change or wind shear swirling between the two hills. He observed an open field with a farmer bailing hay. The airplane continued to loose altitude, and he made an off field landing. The airplane hit an electrical line and he landed the airplane perpendicular to a road. The airplane collided with an embankment and burst into flames. The pilot stated there were no mechanical problems with the airplane before the accident.