SEVEN SPRINGS, PA, USA
N9202Y
PIPER PA-31-350
AFTER REFUELING, THE PLT TOOK OFF FROM A 3000 FT RWY LOCATED IN A MOUNTAINOUS REGION. HE REPORTED THAT AFTER A NORMAL ROTATION & LIFT-OFF, HE ESTABLISHED A POSITIVE RATE OF CLIMB. HOWEVER, SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, DURING GEAR RETRACTION, THE ACFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THIS OCCURRED WHEN HE ENCOUNTERED EITHER A STRONG DOWNDRAFT OR A WINDSHEAR CONDITION. TREES BECAME VISIBLE & THE PLT INCREASED THE PITCH ATTITUDE, BUT THE ACFT STRUCK THE TREETOPS. THE ACFT CONTINUED FLYING & WAS SAFELY LANDED AT ANOTHER ARPT, BUT THE LEADING EDGES OF THE WINGS, THE RIGHT WING TIP, THE LEFT FLAP & THE LEFT HORIZONTAL STABILIZER WERE DAMAGED. THE PLT SAID THE ARPT WAS LOCATED ON A MOUNTAIN TOP WHICH WAS SURROUNDED BY HIGHER MOUNTAINS. THE DENSITY ALT WAS APRX 4500 FT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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