Primary finding
Probable cause
A landing gear collapse after the airplane struck a hole during an off-runway precautionary landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
As soon as the pilot lifted from the runway during the takeoff he thought he encountered windshear or a crosswind and the airplane “stopped climbing.” He decided to land in the grass off of the runway, and after touchdown during the landing roll, the airplane contacted a hole in the ground. The left main landing gear separated from the fuselage and the left wing contacted the ground, which substantially damaged it. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.