Crash location | 41.883889°N, 121.974723°W |
Nearest city | Dorris, CA
41.967370°N, 121.918060°W 6.5 miles away |
Tail number | N2868A |
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Accident date | 30 Aug 2011 |
Aircraft type | Christen Industries Inc A-1 |
Additional details: | None |
The pilot stated that he flew to a nearby airport to practice touch-and-go landings. After his first touchdown, he applied power for takeoff and as his airplane lifted off, he encountered a strong wind gust from his left side. He applied left aileron, but his right wing tip contacted the ground. The airplane cartwheeled and came to rest upright. The airplane immediately burst into flames and was consumed by the fire. The closest weather station, located 19 nautical miles from the airport, reported the wind at 280 degrees for 12 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from the northwest at 15 knots, gusting to 20 knots.
The pilot’s failure to maintain lateral aircraft control while taking off with a gusting crosswind.