Accident Summary
The pilot waited four hours for the air temperature to cool before taking off with four passengers. The takeoff initially appeared normal. However, while flying over a river at approximately 50 feet above ground level, the aircraft began to sink. It subsequently impacted rough terrain on the far side of the river. The airport elevation was 2,045 feet mean sea level, and the temperature at the time was 90 degrees Fahrenheit. All five occupants—the pilot and four passengers—sustained serious injuries.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause for the accident was inadequate preflight planning and preparation by the pilot in command, deteriorated aircraft climb performance, failure to maintain airspeed, an inadvertent stall or mush, and the condition of the terrain (rough/uneven). The accident sequence began as an in-flight collision with terrain during the takeoff initial climb phase. A second occurrence also involved an in-flight collision with the rough terrain.