The pilot was taking off from a 3,700-foot runway in Sewanee, Tennessee, in the Zenith STOL CH750.
He told investigators that during the initial climb at an altitude of around 40 feet, the airplane encountered a downdraft from wind gusting over trees next to the runway.
He added the engine was developing full power, but the airplane was unable to climb out of the downdraft.
The airplane hit trees at the departure end of the runway, and the fuselage and right wing were substantially damaged. The pilot sustained minor injuries in the crash.
Probable Cause: The airplane’s encounter with a downdraft during the initial climb, which resulted in an impact with trees.
To download the final report. Click here. This will trigger a PDF download to your device.
This October 2020 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
From the Wx reports of the winds nearby from 170, with intermittent gusts, and this pilot tookoff from rwy 07….it looks like he encountered gusting tailwinds once above the trees.
Too bad he didn’t check the local Wx, and now wrecked the aircraft.