Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control during initial climb with a crosswind when the airspeed decreased, the airplane exceeded its critical angle of attack and aerodynamical stalled at too low an altitude for the pilot to recover before the airplane descended and landed hard.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot reported that during the initial climb from runway 08 with a crosswind, the airplane attained an altitude of about 50 ft above ground level when it encountered low level wind shear. The airspeed decreased, and the airplane stalled. The pilot attempted to recover airspeed by lowering the nose, but there was not enough altitude or time. The airplane subsequently landed hard substantially damaging the right wing and aft fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. About the time of the accident the reported wind was from 180o at 18 knots.