Amateur-built SKYRANGER II N122LF accident near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to depart with the airplane over maximum gross weight, which reduced the climb performance and resulted in a collision with a tree.

NTSB analysis

The pilot and passenger planned to complete a local flight from a private grass strip. Before departure, the pilot told the passenger that they would need to fly under power lines, then they could climb to a higher altitude. After flying under the power lines, the airplane continued about 0.5 nm at a low altitude and the right wing struck a tree. The airplane impacted the ground and sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the airplane did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Based on passenger weight and fueling information provided by the airstrip owner and friend of the pilot, the airplane was likely over its maximum gross weight, which resulted in a degraded climb performance.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN24LA194 for the full record.