Accident Narrative
The airplane departed from a 6,900-foot-long runway but experienced a rejected takeoff that resulted in the aircraft going over an embankment at the departure end and nosing over. Witnesses reported that the airplane became airborne with approximately 2,000 feet of runway remaining and that the engine did not sound as if it was producing full power, with surging or revving up and down audible. The pilot noted that after liftoff, the airplane could not climb higher than 20–25 feet above the runway, prompting the decision to abort the takeoff. The pilot touched down with roughly 500 feet of runway remaining.
Pilot Actions
The pilot elected to takeoff with a quartering tailwind, despite the tower controller offering the use of the opposite runway. The pilot stated that he adjusted the mixture for peak engine revolutions per minute before takeoff. The airplane was equipped with a fuel flow indicator featuring white radial markings that denote best power fuel flow for different field elevations. The recommended procedure in the airplane's owner manual instructs pilots to use the fuel flow indicator to adjust fuel flow according to the field elevation marked on the dial. However, the owner's manual was not present in the airplane, and the pilot was using a checklist that did not include the information required for a high-performance takeoff. The airport elevation is 7,001 feet mean sea level, and the density altitude was calculated as 8,461 feet.
Aircraft Examination
Post-accident examination of the engine revealed that the spark plugs were dark black in color, consistent with an excessively rich mixture setting. After installing a serviceable propeller, the engine was started and exercised through its normal power range, with no anomalies noted.