What happened
A pilot and 3 passengers departed Angel Fire, NM (elevation 8,382 ft MSL) intending to fly to Phoenix, AZ. At the time of departure, the density altitude was approximately 11,582 ft MSL. The aircraft had recently undergone service and was carrying 54 gallons of fuel.
The pilot elected to use runway 17, which measured 8,900 feet by 75 feet with a 0.643% uphill gradient. During the takeoff roll, the pilot rotated the aircraft three times before it finally lifted off near the end of the runway. Witnesses observed the aircraft flying at a low altitude through the valley toward rising terrain. The aircraft eventually struck trees and crashed approximately five miles from the airport at an elevation of 8,813 ft MSL. During the attempt to evacuate the burning wreckage, one passenger sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
Investigation into the aircraft's weight and balance revealed that the aircraft was approximately 30 lbs over its maximum gross weight limit. While performance charts suggested the aircraft was capable of taking off under the prevailing atmospheric conditions, the pilot reported experiencing turbulence and downdrafts that degraded climb performance. Additionally, the pilot indicated that the aircraft was on the verge of stalling throughout the duration of the short flight.