GAA17CA567

Factual narrative

During a telephone conversation with the NTSB investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that, immediately after takeoff, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and the right wing dipped. Subsequently, the airplane drifted to the right and the right wing impacted terrain and a taxiway sign. He added that he "lost control during takeoff." The right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot did not report that there were any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station at the airport, about the time of the accident, reported wind from 270° at 10 knots. The pilot reported the takeoff was on runway 33. The pilot failed to submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/ Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that, immediately after takeoff, the airplane encountered a wind gust, and the right wing dipped. Subsequently, the airplane drifted to the right, and the right wing impacted terrain and a taxiway sign. He added that he "lost control during takeoff." The right wing and fuselage sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. An automated weather observation station at the airport reported, about the time of the accident, wind from 270° at 10 knots. The pilot reported the takeoff was from runway 33. The pilot did not submit the NTSB Form 6120.1 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
• C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Lateral/bank control-Not attained/maintained - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Sign/marker-Contributed to outcome
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on operation