Accident Overview
On an unspecified date, a pilot and passenger departed in an 85-horsepower, single-engine airplane from an airport where the density altitude was later calculated to be approximately 8,666 feet. When the airplane reached about 300 feet above ground level (AGL), it experienced a loss of lift. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot identified a dirt road as a potential landing site. However, the airplane impacted terrain before arriving at the road.
Aftermath and Examination
The airplane came to rest in an upright position. The pilot and passenger were able to exit the airplane without assistance. A subsequent examination of the engine revealed no preimpact anomalies, indicating that the engine was likely operating normally at the time of the event.
Conditions
The departure airport's high density altitude, resulting from the combination of altitude and temperature, was a notable factor in the performance environment. No other weather or environmental conditions were specified in the source material.