What happened
The pilot reported taking off from runway 23 at Saratoga, Wyoming, but the airplane was unable to climb. Following the takeoff attempt, the aircraft began descending and subsequently impacted terrain roughly one mile west of the airport.
The pilot attributed the loss of altitude to winds spilling over a nearby ridge. Meteorological data recorded at Laramie, Wyoming, 37 miles north-northwest of the accident site, indicated winds from 220 degrees at 12 knots. At the time of the event, the altimeter setting was 30.47 inches of mercury and the temperature was 79 degrees F.
Findings
Saratoga Airport is located at an elevation of 6,987 feet MSL. Based on the recorded temperature and pressure, the density altitude at the time of the accident was calculated to be approximately 9,113 feet MSL. According to calculations provided by the aircraft manufacturer, the airplane was capable of achieving a rate of climb of 450 feet per minute.