Primary finding
Probable cause
Failure of the pilot to lean the aircraft's fuel mixture for the airport's density altitude.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
The pilot failed to lean the airplane's fuel mixture before takeoff. The airplane climbed to an altitude of 20 feet above the ground then settled to the ground and collided with the terrain.
Source record
Factual narrative
On September 21, 1993, at 1300 hours Pacific daylight time, an amateur built McInroy Der Jager DIX airplane, N16RM, collided with the terrain after experienceing an inflight loss of control shortly after departing Runway 21 at the Hesperia Airport, Hesperia, California. The airplane, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The flight was destined for Trona, California. The pilot reported to the Federal Aviation Admnistration (FAA), Riverside Flight Standards District Office, that he had just refueled the airplane. He stated he failed to lean the fuel mixture for the airport's high density altitude. After departing runway 21, the airplane climbed to an altitude of 20 feet above the ground and then settled to the ground over an open field southwest of the airport. The pilot indicated his total flight experience was about 3,000 hours of which 10 hours were in the accident airplane make and model. -