Accident Details
A single-engine airplane was taking off from a short airstrip at Mt Baldy when it struck trees and crashed just after liftoff. The aircraft was on a survey flight against forest fire. All three occupants were uninjured, but the airplane was damaged beyond repair.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident: the pilot's failure to maintain flying speed during takeoff. No other causal factors were identified.
Contributing Factors
Investigators reported several contributing factors that affected the takeoff performance. These included high density altitude at about 12,000 feet, airport conditions, and a high altitude short runway takeoff. Additionally, wind conditions were reported as 12-15 knots, which then died, causing the aircraft to settle down slope into trees.