What happened
The pilot of a modified Piper PA-22 operated at an airstrip where conditions required careful timing due to rising temperatures. Anticipating performance limitations associated with high ambient heat, the pilot delayed departure until the temperature had dropped as much as possible before dusk.
Upon commencing the flight, the pilot elected to use full flaps for the climbout phase. This technique was selected based on the pilot's understanding that it was recommended by the aircraft owner's handbook. Despite these precautions, the aircraft failed to maintain adequate performance during the initial ascent. The accident occurred approximately one-half mile from the departure end of the airstrip.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the operational decisions made prior to and during the takeoff roll. Key factors examined included the ambient temperature at the time of departure and the specific configuration used for climbout. The pilot's reliance on full flaps for climb was analyzed against standard performance data for the modified aircraft.
Findings
The primary contributing factor was the aircraft's inability to sustain flight after takeoff under high-density altitude conditions. The use of full flaps during climbout, while believed by the pilot to be a recommended technique, did not provide sufficient lift or climb gradient to clear obstacles or maintain safe flight in the thin air. The proximity of the crash site to the runway end indicates a failure to gain altitude effectively immediately after leaving the ground.