SEA04LA156

The pilot was departing on runway 25 (2,433 feet) after refueling. He said the weather was clear, but the wind was high and gusty with turbulence and downdrafts. Witnesses said that he departed from midfield, veered to the right, and had a very nose-high attitude. The airplane subsequently stalled to the ground.

On August 6, 2004, at approximately 1730 Pacific daylight time, a Taylorcraft DC-65, N61021, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground shortly after takeoff from Pine Hollow Airport (32OR), near Wamic, Oregon. The private pilot was seriously injured and his passenger received minor injuries. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country personal flight which was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot had not filed a flight plan but said that his destination was Sunriver, Oregon.

The pilot said that he had stopped at Pine Hollow Airport for fuel, and was departing on runway 25. He said that he decided not to use the eastern 25 percent of the 2,433 foot long runway because of wind turbulence caused by buildings on the south side of the runway. He said that as he lifted off at midfield, he encountered a down draft, and he maneuvered to the north where there was an open field (clear of a house and trees) for a possible off-field landing. The pilot said that he encountered another down draft, and the airplane stalled to the left, impacting the ground. The airplane's right wing spar was broken, the left wing tip was bent, and the engine was pushed aft into the cockpit.

Two pilot witnesses said that they watched the airplane taxi to the runway midfield and takeoff. They both stated that shortly after liftoff the pilot veered to the north and then pulled up into a very nose-high attitude. The airplane subsequently stalled to the ground.