NTSB Factual Report

On April 8, 2001, at approximately 1515 mountain daylight time, a Piper PA-24-250, N7736P, was substantially damaged when it collided with terrain during initial climb following takeoff from Telluride Regional Airport, Telluride, Colorado. The private pilot and his two passengers were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for this personal flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, after takeoff, he retracted the landing gear at about 50 feet above the ground and began his initial climb. A gust of wind struck the airplane, forcing it to descend and strike the runway with the landing gear in the retracted position. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage skin, the bulkheads between the wing roots, and both inboard flap hinges.

At the time of the accident, the winds were from 230 degrees at 9 knots. The two previous weather readings indicated that the winds were variable. At 1352, the winds were 170 to 240 degrees at 13 knots gusting to 21 knots. At 1411, the winds were 150 to 250 degrees at 8 knots. The airfield elevation is 9,070 feet MSL. The altimeter setting was 29.91, and temperature was 1 degree Celcius/33.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Density altitude was 9,551 feet MSL.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during initial climb. Factors include the gusty wind and high density altitude conditions.