Accident Details
The pilot loaded the airplane to within 200 pounds of its maximum certificated gross weight and attempted to depart from a gravel airstrip at an elevation of 5,680 feet mean sea level. The calculated density altitude was over 8,000 feet.
During the short-field takeoff, the pilot rotated at 60 knots and the airplane became airborne. After climbing about 100 feet above ground level, the pilot retracted the wing flaps. Immediately thereafter, the airplane suddenly rolled left, lost airspeed, and settled into the ground, coming to rest approximately 0.79 miles from the field.
Pilot Observations
The pilot opined that, although the wind was calm upon initiating the takeoff, he experienced a wind gust and turbulence that caused the airplane to roll violently to the left. He acknowledged that he was able to level the airplane's wings, but the airspeed had decreased and the airplane was settling.
Pilot Experience
Regarding his experience, the pilot reported that he did not have any previous experience taking off from that airport under the combined conditions of high density altitude and high gross weight.