SILVER CITY, NM, USA
N3648V
CESSNA 140
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT REPORTED TAKING OFF FROM A GRAVEL RUNWAY ON A MOUNTAIN MESA, WITH CALM WINDS. THE COMPUTED DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS 10,600 FEET. THE PILOT SAID SHE LIFTED OFF AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, DIVED THE PLANE INTO A CANYON TO GAIN AIRSPEED, TURNED AND FLEW BACK OVER THE AIR STRIP AT 50 FEET AGL. AFTER FLYING SEVERAL HUNDRED YARDS, CONSTANTLY LOSING ALTITUDE, THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN IN JUNIPER BRUSH.
THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNING WHICH RESULTED IN A FLIGHT IN CONDITIONS WHICH EXCEEDED THE PERFORMANCE CAPABILITY OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE WAS A FACTOR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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