Background
Several days before the accident, the pilot telephoned the airport, which has an elevation of 9,927 feet, and spoke with a local flight instructor who also serves as an FAA accident prevention counselor. During the conversation, the flight instructor advised the pilot not to fly to the airport with a heavy load, citing the reduction in airplane performance at high density altitude.
Departure
On the day of the accident, the flight instructor observed the pilot depart on runway 34. The airplane was carrying two passengers and baggage, with an estimated gross weight of 2,950 pounds. The instructor noted that a normal departure from runway 34 involves a left crosswind due to rising terrain east-northeast of the airport.
Accident
After takeoff, the pilot reported that he had leaned the airplane's engine for full available power but believed he encountered a downdraft. The aircraft was subsequently discovered approximately 1,500 feet northeast of the departure end of runway 34.
Performance Data
The maximum gross weight of the airplane was 3,050 pounds. According to the airplane's Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA-approved Airplane Flight Manual, at a density altitude of 10,000 feet, the airplane was capable of climbing at 490 feet per minute at 90 knots indicated airspeed.