What happened
The departure occurred from an airport situated 324 feet above sea level. Environmental conditions were challenging, with an outside air temperature of 96 degrees Fahrenheit. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and two passengers on board. During the takeoff roll, the airplane lifted off the runway as expected. However, it failed to establish a positive rate of climb.
A witness observed the immediate aftermath of the liftoff. The observer noted that the engine appeared to be operating normally based on its sound. Visually, the aircraft's nose was pitched very high relative to the horizon. Despite the steep attitude, the airplane did not gain altitude. It subsequently impacted trees and the ground terrain. A fire started after the initial impact with the ground.
The investigation
Investigators computed the density altitude for the departure airport at the time of the event. The calculated density altitude was approximately 3000 feet. This figure indicates that the air density was significantly reduced due to the high temperature, affecting engine performance and lift generation.