Background
The airplane had recently undergone a pre-purchase annual inspection. The operator purchased it from a private individual, and the pilot volunteered to ferry it to the new owner to build flight time. The previous owner flew the airplane the day before and reported no discrepancies. The airplane was then serviced to its 60-gallon fuel capacity.
The Accident
On the morning of the accident, the pilot taxied to the end of the runway and performed pretakeoff checks. Witnesses reported that the magneto checks sounded normal, though brief. As takeoff power was applied, the engine began to pop, stutter, and sputter, and continued to do so for the entire length of the runway. The engine produced less than full power, about 1,700 to 1,800 rpm, and the airplane was not accelerating.
The airplane lifted off near the end of the 5,600-foot runway, which had a 1.5 percent uphill grade. It flew in ground effect, barely clearing sagebrush and a barbed wire perimeter fence. The left wing then dipped, and the airplane disappeared below the mesa into a valley. It struck the ground next to a golf course, exploded, and burned.
A family relative stated that the pilot had never flown into or out of high elevation airports and was unsure of what to expect.
Post-Accident Findings
The pilot's toxicology tested positive for diazepam, a tranquilizer. Valium, its generic name, is a tranquilizer that may cause drowsiness and is contraindicated for flying.