What happened
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff from a river, the engine failed to develop sufficient power to maintain altitude. In response to this loss of performance, the pilot initiated an emergency landing procedure. During the landing roll, the aircraft collided with rough terrain.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators conducted a test run of the engine. The examination revealed that the engine operated within normal operating parameters during the test, indicating no mechanical failure was present at the time of inspection.
Findings
The weather conditions at the time of the accident included a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The calculated density altitude was 3400 feet. These high-temperature conditions likely contributed to reduced engine performance during the critical takeoff phase.