What happened
During the departure phase from Lajitas Airfield, a twin engine airplane experienced significant difficulty maintaining altitude. As the aircraft attempted to climb, it collided with power cables, which subsequently led to a crash and an intense post-impact fire. The accident resulted in two fatalities, including the pilot, and left eight passengers injured, with five of those injuries classified as serious.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the primary cause was a collision with utility wires and poles during the early stages of the climb. This occurred because the pilot had selected an incorrect runway in relation to the prevailing wind conditions. Several environmental and operational factors contributed to the inability to clear obstacles:
- The aircraft was operating at a high density altitude of approximately 4,800 feet.
- High winds were present, with gusts reaching 15 knots.
- The pilot did not properly utilize or incorrectly used the wing flaps.
- An attempt to abort the takeoff was not performed.
- The aircraft was operating near its maximum gross weight with the center of gravity at its operational limit.
- The runway featured a 1% upslope and was situated on rough, uneven terrain.