N6847E

On June 1, 1998, at 1700 central daylight time, a Cessna 175A, N6847E, operated by a private pilot descended into the terrain after liftoff from runway 31 (5,160' x 100' dry/asphalt) at Karl Stefan Memorial Airport, near Norfolk, Nebraska. The airplane was destroyed on impact with the terrain and a post accident fire. The pilot and two passengers reported minor injuries. The pilot stated that the airplane may have encountered windshear and was unable to climb. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot said that the airplane lifted off at about 65 knots. He said that when the airplane reached an altitude of about 200 to 300 feet, the airplane began to descend and he was unable to get the airplane to maintain flight. He said, "I believe the sole cause of the accident to be a change in wind direction and/or velocity, complicated by large groves of trees to the west of the runway ... ." He said that there was no mechanical failure or loss of power in the airplane. He said that just prior to impact he extended the flaps to full.

The departure was on runway 31. The winds recorded at the departure airport six minutes prior to the accident were 270 degrees at 23 knots with gusts to 27 knots.