What happened
A private pilot planned a flight departing from an airstrip situated in a mountainous resort area. Prior to departure, the pilot calculated a density altitude of 5,800 feet. The aircraft's takeoff gross weight was 95 pounds below the maximum allowable takeoff weight.
During the initial climb, the aircraft's climb capability stagnated. The pilot found himself unable to clear pine trees located just beyond the departure end of the runway. In an attempt to maneuver around the trees, the aircraft entered a stall, collided with the pines, and subsequently crashed onto a nearby golf course. The pilot was not injured.
Findings
The investigation revealed that the pilot lacked experience operating at high-altitude airports. Additionally, the pilot had planned for a best climb speed of 70 knots, whereas the aircraft's operating handbook recommended a speed of 87 knots when obstacle clearance is required. Furthermore, the pilot was unaware of the necessity to lean the mixture to achieve optimum performance under high density altitude conditions.