What happened
A flight departing from Lake Cojibo, intended for a fishing camp, ended in a mountain collision. The aircraft was operating with a pilot, two passengers, and a full cargo load at the time of the accident. While the weather conditions were favorable, the ambient temperature was notably high.
During the initial climb following takeoff, the aircraft struggled to achieve an adequate rate of ascent. This difficulty was attributed to the combination of the heavy payload and the high outside air temperature. As the pilot navigated through a valley, the aircraft failed to clear the rising terrain, resulting in an impact with the peak of a mountain. The collision caused the aircraft to burst into flames, and the airframe was completely destroyed by the subsequent fire.
Findings
- The aircraft was unable to maintain sufficient altitude due to high ambient temperatures and a heavy weight load.
- All three occupants sustained injuries during the event.