Accident Overview
On an unspecified date, a pilot was departing on runway 14 at a mountain airport with an elevation of 5,916 feet and a density altitude of 8,016 feet. The aircraft was loaded near the aft center of gravity (CG) limit, and a tailwind was present during departure.
Witness Observations
Multiple witnesses observed the airplane rotate quickly and excessively during takeoff. The landing gear doors opened almost immediately, even though the airplane's speed appeared slow and its pitch attitude remained excessively high. Several witnesses also noted the airplane wobbling side to side. A flight instructor watching the departure reported that the airplane never exceeded 100 feet above ground level. He then saw the airplane pitch up further—the longitudinal trim was later found set at 10 degrees nose down—after which the airplane stalled and impacted the ground.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had purchased the airplane on March 30, 2001. On an insurance application, he reported approximately 200 hours of total flight experience over 10 years, including 15 hours in retractable-gear aircraft. By the time of the accident, he had accumulated an estimated 20 hours of flight experience in that specific airplane.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination of the airplane and engine revealed no evidence of any pre-impact discrepancies or malfunctions.