NTSB Factual Report

On February 20, 2002, approximately 1230 mountain standard time, a Knight BD-4, N84RL, operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged following loss of control during takeoff at Kemmerer Municipal Airport, Kemmerer, Wyoming. The pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the pleasure flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot's accident report, the wind was from 260 degrees approximately 20 knots when he started his takeoff roll on runway 22. When the airplane was approximately 8 feet off the ground, the quartering headwind "seemed stronger," and he used "full right rudder to crab into the wind." He said, "The wind pushed me to the left and the left gear hit the top" of a snow bank, turning the airplane "perpendicular to the wind." Airspeed dropped from 75 MPH to 60 MPH and the controls felt "sluggish." The pilot said he didn't feel he could avoid a windsock and fence ahead, so he closed the throttle and landed in the snow. The left gear collapsed when it hit the snow. The left wing then struck the snow, denting the leading edge and tearing off the wing tip.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a snowbank. A contributing factor was the high crosswind.