Incident Details
The pilot initiated a takeoff under high density altitude conditions. During the initial climb, the aircraft encountered downdrafts. Recognizing that the aircraft would not outclimb the surrounding terrain, the pilot decided to perform an emergency landing.
Pilot Actions
The pilot selected a rough and uneven area for the landing. Upon touchdown, both main landing gear were torn from the wings. The pilot later stated that, while he had verified the weight and balance before departure, he had not calculated the expected rate of climb under the prevailing conditions. Subsequent analysis determined that the expected rate of climb was approximately 250 feet per minute.
Outcome
The aircraft came to rest approximately one mile from the departure end of the runway, on terrain that was between 150 and 200 feet higher in elevation than the runway surface.