WPR20CA160

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that after a normal takeoff and initial climb to the height of tree tops, the airplane encountered a couple of wind gusts with wind shear. The pilot recovered airplane control when the airplane encountered another gust that dropped the airplane down into power lines and subsequently the terrain. The fuselage and wings were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that after a normal takeoff and initial climb to the height of tree tops, the airplane encountered a couple of wind gusts with wind shear. The pilot recovered airplane control when the airplane encountered another gust that dropped the airplane down into power lines and subsequently the terrain. The fuselage and wings were substantially damaged.  The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.     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
• — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Wind-Crosswind-Effect on equipment
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Effect on equipment