Accident Overview
On a flight from a departure airport with an elevation of 6,535 ft, the airplane struck rising mountainous terrain at an elevation of 10,050 ft approximately 19 nautical miles northwest of the airport. The airplane was destroyed by a post-impact fire that followed the rupture of fuel tanks.
Flight Details
Before departure, the pilot computed the airplane's gross weight at approximately 2,270 pounds, which was below the maximum gross weight of 2,400 pounds. The takeoff roll was about 5,000 feet. After liftoff, the pilot executed a right turn toward the rising terrain. About five minutes into the flight, the right front seat passenger commented to the pilot, "we're going kinda low." The pilot later stated that after climbing for about 10 to 15 minutes up a valley, the vertical climb rate decreased to about 100–200 feet per minute, which was half the climb rate expected at full throttle power.
Post-Accident Examination
The engine was test run according to manufacturer specifications. No discrepancies or anomalies were noted during the test run, indicating the engine was capable of producing power before the accident. Examination of the airframe also revealed no anomalies or discrepancies. The density altitude at the accident site was calculated to be approximately 12,000 feet.