Accident Overview
An accident occurred at Boone Airport involving an aircraft that departed at a gross weight of 3012.3 pounds. The maximum gross weight specified in the pilot's handbook for the aircraft is 2900 pounds. The density altitude at the time of the accident was 5154 feet MSL.
Witness Observations
Witnesses reported that the aircraft never climbed more than 200 feet above ground level after departure. At a point approximately half a mile from the departure end of the runway, the aircraft was observed in a nose-high attitude with its wings rocking from side to side. The landing gear remained in the extended position throughout the flight.
According to witnesses, the aircraft's altitude was below the tops of a ridge line ahead. Just before reaching the ridge, the aircraft's nose pitched up to a near-vertical attitude, then banked sharply to the right. Subsequently, the nose dropped, and the aircraft impacted the terrain in a near-vertical, nose-down attitude.
Aircraft Condition
After the accident, the landing gear was found in the down and locked position.