What happened
A medical evacuation flight was operating to transport a patient following a medical emergency. Upon approaching the destination, the pilot requested information from the airport unicom and was directed to use runway 25. This specific runway featured a 2.2 percent uphill gradient and was designated for landing operations only.
Following the arrival, the crew refueled the aircraft and loaded the patient. During the subsequent departure, the pilot taxied back along runway 25 and attempted a takeoff while the aircraft was operating near its maximum gross weight. Environmental conditions at the time included a temperature of approximately 100 degrees Fahrenheit, a density altitude of roughly 3,200 feet, and a reported tailwind estimated between 4 and 15 knots.
After the aircraft type became airborne, the pilot initiated an immediate turn to the left to avoid rising terrain. During this maneuver, the left tip tank made contact with the ground, causing the aircraft to cartwheel. The wreckage settled approximately 711 feet beyond the end of the runway.
Findings
Post-accident inspections revealed that the landing gear and flaps were fully extended at the time of the accident, which deviated from the takeoff configuration specified in the flight manual, which required flaps to be up. While the airport lacked physical signage regarding the runway's landing-only restriction, the limitation was documented in the airport facility directory. The accident occurred while the aircraft was operating under high-density altitude conditions and near its maximum weight limits.