Accident Summary
A flight was scheduled to transport passengers to a private, unattended dirt strip near a work site. Permission to land at the strip was not obtained, though prior permission was required. The strip was rough; drainage at the approach end of runway 1 had eroded the ground, making its effective length approximately 2,800 feet. Additionally, there was no windsock at the strip. Its elevation was 6,315 feet, and the density altitude was about 9,000 feet.
Witness Account
A witness reported that the pilot landed on runway 1, just beyond the midpoint. After touchdown, the aircraft's wings were seen to rock back and forth, then the aircraft became airborne again.
Go-Around and Collision
During a go-around (aborted landing), the aircraft was climbing over rising terrain north of the strip when it collided with a power line approximately 90 feet above the runway elevation and crashed. The pilot had landed with a slight tailwind.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
No preimpact part failure or malfunction of the aircraft was found. The pilot lacked experience in landing on short strips with high density altitude. The landing gear and flaps were found in the retracted position. A flap setting of 10 to 20 degrees was recommended for short field, rough field, soft field, and minimum ground run takeoff. A takeoff distance of 2,200 feet was required to clear a 50-foot obstacle.