Accident Narrative
The pilot, on a cross-country flight and unfamiliar with the airport, departed from a runway situated in a narrow valley. The runway, 3,550 feet long and 75 feet wide, is near sea level with steep mountains on both sides of the departure path, leading to an increasingly narrowing canyon.
Witnesses observed the airplane take off from runway 02 and initiate a tight climbing left turn. This turn directed the airplane toward rising terrain northwest of the airport. The airplane was seen descending, nose down, into trees, followed by a fire. The accident site was on a steep hillside at an elevation of about 260 feet msl. The airplane impacted the ground in a steep, nose-down attitude, and a postcrash fire consumed the cockpit and cabin area.
Departure Procedure
Local users of the airport have developed a takeoff procedure for runway 02. The procedure recommends that airplanes make a slight right turn during climb-out to hug the right side of the canyon wall, then execute a left climbing turn to clear the ridgeline northwest of the airport. The pilot, not familiar with the airport, did not follow this procedure.
Airport Information
The FAA's Airport Facility Directory entry for the airport states: "Recommended daylight operations only. ...Approach to runway 20 in [a] narrow canyon. Turbulence and high obstructions. ...When departing runway 02, maintain runway heading for at least 1/2 mile to avoid nearby school and playground."
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no observed preimpact mechanical malfunctions. Witnesses reported that the engine was running at all times, and evidence of numerous cut tree limbs at the scene was consistent with engine power being applied.