Departure and Weather Conditions
The aircraft initiated its takeoff from runway 35L at Denver-Stapleton Airport under poor weather conditions. At the time of departure, a thunderstorm accompanied by rain showers was moving over the northern portion of the airport. This thunderstorm was surrounded by numerous other thunderstorms and associated rain showers, but none were in the immediate vicinity of the airport.
Sequence of Events After Liftoff
After lifting off, the aircraft climbed to an altitude of 100 feet. At that point, it experienced a rapid loss of indicated airspeed, losing approximately 41 knots over a span of 5 seconds. The aircraft struck the ground 11.6 seconds after the airspeed began to decrease. The first impact occurred 387 feet south of the departure end of runway 35L and 106 feet to the right of the runway centerline. The aircraft continued northward to a second impact area about 135 feet north of the end of the first area. The main portion of the second impact area measured 55 feet in length and 4 feet in width. After sliding northward from this area, the aircraft came to rest approximately 1,600 feet north of the departure end of runway 35L and about 160 feet to the right of the extended runway centerline.
Occupant Status
All 131 occupants on board were evacuated from the aircraft. Fifteen of these occupants sustained injuries.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident was determined to be the aircraft's encounter, immediately following take-off, with severe windshear at an altitude and airspeed which precluded recovery to level flight. The windshear caused the aircraft to descend at a rate that could not be overcome, even though the aircraft was flown at or near its maximum lift capability throughout the encounter. The windshear was generated by the outflow from a thunderstorm that was over the aircraft's departure path.