Accident Sequence
The airplane settled onto rocky upsloping terrain after the climb rate was not achieved during the initial climb following takeoff. The accident occurred about 3 miles west of the airport. The aircraft struck a small tree and came to rest upright facing west. The landing gear wheels separated from the airplane during the event.
Pilot Reports
The flight instructor reported that he and the 3-hour primary student had been performing pattern work and completed one flight around the pattern prior to the accident. On the accident takeoff, they conducted a high-speed taxi on the 8,000-foot runway. The instructor stated that he was on the controls (throttle and ailerons) while the student was on the rudders. The instructor added and reduced power to help the student practice maintaining directional control and countering the left turning tendency associated with power application. When he added power for takeoff, he noted 2,300 rpm. After liftoff, the airplane was not climbing, and the engine sounded normal without stuttering or missing. The instructor indicated rising terrain ahead and nearby houses, so he decided that a forced landing into the rising terrain was the best option. He observed power lines in front of the aircraft and knew he would need to sacrifice airspeed to clear them. He lowered the nose to achieve best angle of climb airspeed, but noted only a 50 feet per minute climb rate. After clearing the power lines, he executed the forced landing.
Post-Accident Observations
A sheriff's deputy who responded to the site reported that the accident location was 3 miles west of the airport. The deputy observed landing gear skid marks in the rocky terrain and noted that the landing gear wheels had separated from the airplane. The deputy interviewed the student pilot, who stated that after takeoff they were "not able to gain their normal airspeed."