Accident Details
According to the pilot, the airplane was loaded with 80 gallons of cottonseed oil and 30 gallons of aviation gasoline prior to departure. The pilot taxied to the departure end of the runway and initiated a takeoff with a “normal full rich mixture and full throttle roll,” lifting off approximately one-third down the runway length.
The airplane climbed to about 100 feet above ground level before encountering “windshear,” which the pilot stated caused “a loss of lift.” The pilot noted that the engine was producing “full power and red line RPM and full rich mixture” during the event. Despite attempts to maintain altitude without stalling the airplane, the propeller struck a power line.
Subsequently, the airplane’s left wing impacted a power line pole, followed by the right wing striking another power line pole. The airplane came to rest against a brick fence.
Weather Information
The El Paso weather facility, located 22 miles northwest of the accident site, reported the presence of towering cumulonimbus clouds to the southeast near the time of the accident.
Aircraft Information
The specific make and model of the airplane were not provided in the source. The pilot reported the load configuration but no further details on the aircraft type or registration.