What happened
The pilot attempted to initiate a takeoff roll using only 1,100 feet of remaining runway. Environmental conditions at the time included a five-knot tailwind, which further degraded aircraft performance capabilities. Upon becoming airborne, the aircraft was unable to gain sufficient altitude to clear power lines situated 1,000 feet beyond the departure end of the runway.
The investigation
Investigators calculated the density altitude at the time of the accident to be 3,600 feet. This high density altitude significantly reduces engine power and lift generation compared to standard sea-level conditions. Analysis of the aircraft's performance manuals indicated that under these specific environmental conditions, a takeoff distance of 2,500 feet would have been required to safely clear a 50-foot obstacle.
Findings
The available runway length was insufficient for the aircraft to achieve safe climb-out performance given the tailwind and density altitude. The tailwind component directly contributed to the extended ground roll and reduced initial climb gradient. Consequently, the aircraft lacked the necessary kinetic energy and lift to clear the power lines located just beyond the paved surface. This situation highlights the critical importance of accurate takeoff performance calculations that account for wind direction and density altitude.
Safety message
Pilots must rigorously calculate required takeoff distances using official performance data, ensuring they account for all adverse factors including tailwinds and high density altitudes. Operating from short runways with performance-degrading conditions requires strict adherence to weight and balance limits and available runway lengths.