Accident Description
The pilot stated that during takeoff from runway 23 at Saratoga, Wyoming, the airplane would not climb. The airplane began descending and impacted terrain approximately one mile west of the airport. The pilot attributed the descent to 'winds spilling over the ridge.'
Meteorological Conditions
At the time of the accident, recorded winds at Laramie, Wyoming (located 37 miles north-northwest of Saratoga) were from 220 degrees at 12 knots. The altimeter setting was 30.47 inches of mercury, and the temperature was 79 degrees F. Saratoga Airport is situated at an elevation of 6,987 feet msl (above mean sea level). Based on this meteorological information, density altitude at Saratoga was computed to be approximately 9,113 feet msl.
Performance Calculation
The airplane manufacturer calculated that the airplane could achieve a 450 feet per minute rate of climb. No further information regarding the aircraft type or specific performance data was provided in the source.