Incident Overview
A private pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, the airplane experienced a loss of lift and began to decelerate. The pilot enriched the mixture and lowered the nose in an attempt to regain lift, but the airplane continued to descend and subsequently collided with trees and terrain approximately 1,000 feet beyond the departure end of the runway.
Witness Account
A witness to the accident reported hearing the airplane taking off from Carey Airport. Shortly thereafter, the witness heard a sound described as "a tree shredding machine" and looked out the window to see the aircraft falling vertically and hitting the ground.
Environmental Conditions
Carey Airport has a field elevation of 4,783 feet MSL. At the time of the accident, winds were from 250 degrees at 10-15 knots, and the reported temperature was approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Aircraft and Weight Information
The pilot and three passengers had a combined weight of approximately 690 pounds, and the airplane contained approximately 156 pounds of fuel at the time of the accident.
Post-Accident Examination
A post-accident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure.