What happened
The flight originated from an airport situated at a field elevation of 613 feet. At the time of departure, the airplane was loaded to its maximum gross weight. Due to atmospheric conditions, the density altitude was calculated to be 3300 feet, significantly reducing engine performance and lift capabilities. The airport offered two operational runways: Runway 25, which measured 6002 feet in length and provided a slight headwind from the southwest, and Runway 35, which was only 3320 feet long and featured a light quartering tailwind and crosswind component from the left.
The pilot elected to utilize Runway 35 for the takeoff roll. During the departure phase, a witness observed the aircraft reaching an altitude of approximately 10 to 15 feet above ground level near the midpoint of the runway. The aircraft maintained a slightly nose-high attitude but failed to gain additional altitude or climb. Instead of clearing the obstacle area, the airplane descended below high-voltage power lines and struck a large telephone cable. Following this impact, the aircraft fell almost vertically onto a nearby highway, where it ignited and began burning.
The investigation
Investigation into the mechanical condition of the aircraft revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The primary focus remained on the operational parameters at the time of departure. The combination of maximum gross weight and high density altitude critically degraded the airplane's ability to accelerate and climb within the available runway length.
Findings
The selection of a shorter runway with an unfavorable wind component, combined with the aircraft being at maximum gross weight in high-density-altitude conditions, resulted in inadequate takeoff performance. The pilot was unable to achieve the necessary climb gradient to clear obstacles, leading to a collision with infrastructure and subsequent impact with the ground.