LAX00LA194

The pilot encountered a crosswind during takeoff from an open dirt field. The pilot stated that he failed to correct for the crosswind and allowed the airplane to drift about 100 feet off course until impacting a tree. Prior to the flight, sheriff's officers had noted that the pilot had landed on a public road. The pilot reported to them that he had landed on the road as it was conveniently located near his business. The officers reported that for safety and other reasons, they would not authorize the pilot to depart from the road. In response, the pilot moved the rented airplane into the adjacent open field, which he believed was adequate for his departure.

On May 15, 2000, about 1300 hours Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 152, N25213, owned and operated by Bermuda Air Service, Inc., collided with a tree during initial climb from an open field about 2 miles north of the uncontrolled Borrego Valley Airport, Borrego Springs, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight that was performed under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the private pilot was not injured. The flight was originating at the time of the mishap.

According to responding sheriff's officers, earlier during the day the pilot had made an unauthorized landing on a public road. The pilot reported that he had previously landed on the road as it was conveniently located near his business. The officers reported that for safety and other reasons, they would not authorize the pilot to depart from the road.

The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that, in response to information conveyed by the officers, he moved the rented airplane into an adjacent open dirt field, which he believed was adequate for his departure. The pilot owned the field, and after taking off he planned to fly to the Borrego Valley Airport. The pilot further reported that all airplane systems functioned normally, and he attempted to make a soft field takeoff with the wing flaps extended to the 10-degree position. Seconds after becoming airborne, a 5- to 15-knot wind gust pushed him slightly off course. The pilot further reported that he "failed to correct for the crosswind, allowing the plane to drift right approximately 100 feet . . . " Thereafter, the airplane impacted a tree and came to rest upside down in the field.