Takeoff and Witness Observation
The pilot configured the airplane for takeoff by selecting 10 degrees of flaps and leaning the mixture by pulling the control aft one inch, indicating that this procedure was how he had been instructed. With a total of three passengers and full fuel onboard, the departure commenced.
A witness reported seeing the airplane at a low altitude and low airspeed, with the nose approximately 45 degrees above the horizon. The witness noted that the airplane appeared to be struggling to gain altitude.
Flight Path and Collision
The pilot directed the airplane toward terrain that was gradually rising. Shortly thereafter, the left wing dropped, and the airplane subsequently impacted a golf course.
Weight and Density Altitude
Post-accident computations determined that the airplane was approximately 122 pounds over its maximum gross weight at the time of the accident. The density altitude was calculated to be 7,654 feet above mean sea level.
Investigation Findings
The investigation did not provide an explicit probable cause. The reported facts include the pilot's use of a specific flap setting and mixture leaning technique, the witness account of the airplane's attitude and apparent performance issues, the flight toward rising terrain, the wing drop, and the computed weight and density altitude exceedances.