N82GS

The pilot with three passengers departed from a 1,600 foot private airfield, in a STOL (Short Take-off and Landing) modified single-engine airplane. In a statement to the FAA inspector, the pilot reported that he was doing a short field maximum performance take-off. The airplane encountered wind gusts which caused the left wing tip to contact and drag along the ground. In the pilot’s written statement, he stated that immediately after rotation, the airplane encountered two strong gusts of wind which caused the wing to contact the ground, and the airplane to nose over. Examination of the airplane at the accident site revealed that airplane was in a near vertical, nose down attitude, with the engine and propeller twisted about 90-degrees from the fuselage. Both the left and right wings had extensive damage. The fuselage about mid-span was crumpled and bent towards the cabin roof, at a 45-degree angle. Both main landing wheels were torn from the landing gear. The pilot reported there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane prior to the crash. According to the STOL manufacturer's website, a short field take-off is performed with 20-degrees of flaps, full throttle, lifting off at 35 knots, level-off and then a turn out after reaching 45 knots.