LAX03LA240

Factual narrative

On July 22, 2003, about 1755 mountain standard time, a Cessna 180C, N767RK, collided with a power line and trees 30 feet above ground level during initial climb from an uncharted private airstrip. The accident site was located about 1 mile south of Punkin Center, Arizona. The airplane was owned and operated by the pilot, and it was substantially damaged. The private pilot received minor injuries. The personal flight was originating, and it was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. No flight plan was filed. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that the airplane accelerated normally on the dirt surfaced runway 23, which was 1,000 feet long. However, during the downwind takeoff, the airplane did not gain altitude as rapidly as he had anticipated. No mechanical malfunction was reported. The pilot also reported that the he estimated the surface wind was from 090 degrees, and its speed was about 5 knots. There were occasional gusts to 10 knots. The ambient temperature was estimated at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the airstrip's elevation was 2,620 feet mean sea level. The Safety Board investigator calculated that the approximate density altitude was 6,000 feet. The quartering tailwind was about 40 degrees left of the airplane's departure course on the dirt surfaced runway. The airplane collided with a power line and trees during takeoff initial climb from the 1,000-foot-long dirt runway. The pilot reported that his airplane accelerated normally on runway 23. However, during the 40-degree quartering tailwind takeoff, the airplane did not gain altitude as rapidly as he had anticipated. No mechanical malfunction was reported. The wind was from 090 degrees, and its speed was about 5 knots with occasional 10-knot gusts. The ambient temperature was estimated at 100 degrees Fahrenheit, and the airstrip's elevation was 2,620 feet mean sea level. The Safety Board estimated that the density altitude was about 6,000 feet. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12