Accident Details
The pilot reported that during takeoff from a mountain ridge strip at an elevation of 2,500 feet, the aircraft failed to reach flying speed. It overran the strip and nosed over.
Pilot Report
The pilot stated that he attempted a downhill takeoff into a wind he estimated from the northwest at 25 knots. He described himself as a very experienced Air Force F-15 pilot and believed the cause of the accident was windshear, noting that he had experienced the same phenomenon in an F-15 simulator during takeoff. He indicated that he did not calculate specific takeoff data but claimed to know all about the performance of his airplane. He was unable to recall the specific weights of the aircraft at the time.
Weather Data
Data developed by the National Weather Service from four locations around the accident site indicated that the wind was consistently 10 knots from the direction opposite to the pilot's estimate.
Load Information
The flight was reported to be the last flight out of the hunting strip. The passenger, gear, and equipment on board did not constitute an overloaded condition, according to the pilot's report.