Cessna 177A Cardinal, Potato in the Front LLC, N30550: Accident occurred July 31, 2016 in Schafer, Montana

POTATO IN THE FRONT LLC: http://registry.faa.gov/N30550

FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Helena FSDO-05

NTSB Identification: GAA16CA406
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, July 31, 2016 in Kalispell, MT
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/22/2016
Aircraft: CESSNA 177, registration: N30550
Injuries: 3 Uninjured.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The pilot reported that during takeoff from a mountain airstrip, and climbing just above the trees lining the runway, the airplane encountered an "extreme wind shear and an enormous downdraft". The pilot further reported the airplane began to descend at 1500-2000 feet per minute and he decided to land on the remaining runway. Subsequently the airplane touched down hard, bounced, and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The airplane's hard landing during an aborted takeoff, following an encounter with a downdraft during takeoff initial climb from a remote mountain airstrip, resulting in an uncontrolled descent, attempt to land on the runway remaining, and subsequent nose over.