Piper PA-11 N5025H accident near Lake Louise, Alaska

Probable cause

The pilot’s encounter with gusting crosswind conditions during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and subsequent impact with terrain.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was departing from a remote airstrip in his tailwheel equipped airplane. He reported that shortly after takeoff, the airplane encountered a strong crosswind, which resulted in the airplane veering to the right. The pilot attempted to maneuver the airplane into the wind, which resulted in a nose high attitude. Concerned with stall conditions, he attempted to level the wings, and lower the nose of the airplane; however, there was not enough altitude to complete the recovery, and the airplane impacted the ground, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ANC25LA103 for the full record.