Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's inability to maintain airspeed after encountering a sudden wind shift after lift off resulting in an inadvertent stall, uncontrolled descent, and ground collision.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While climbing through 25 feet after takeoff the wind shifted. The aircraft lost airspeed, stalled, and descended uncontrolled to ground impact.
Source record
Factual narrative
On July 6, 1995, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Kashpureff Nieuport II, N2175L, registered to the pilot, landed hard when control was lost during takeoff from Venice Municipal Airport, Venice, Florida, while on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the commercial-rated pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that while climbing through 25 feet agl after takeoff the wind shifted and the aircraft stopped flying. The aircraft descended and landed hard in the turf adjacent to the runway. Automated weather observing system data from the Venice Municipal Airport showed a wind shift from the northeast to the north occurred about the time of the accident. -