19990705008129A

Crashed under unkn circumstances shortly after takeoff from rwy 6, acft impacted field approx 300 ft east of deptr rwy, acft destroyed, 3 minor injuries. (From .19) on July 5, 1999, about 1510 hours pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177RG, N2175Q, operated by the private pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain in the takeoff initial climb at Quincy, California. The pilot and two passengers received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight operating under the provisions of 14 CFR part 91 and no flight plan was filed. The pilot departed on runway 06 and stated that during the initial climb he experienced a downdraft and settled into terrain just beyond the runway end. The Quincy/Gansner airport is located in mountainous terrain at 3,415 feet MSL. The runway is 4,100 feet in length with obstruction considerations at both ends. Prior to departure, the pilot questioned a resident flight examiner as to how local pilots made their takeoffs under the current conditions. The runway gradient is uphill to the west (runway 24) into rising terrain. Runway 06 is downhill into distant rising terrain. The wind was estimat ed to be 7 to 10 mps from the southwest and the temperature was 81 degrees fahrenheit. The airport/facility directory for Quincy/Gansner under airport remarks states, "caution - due to proximity of terrain normal operations are: for departure/touch and go runway 06 only." The runway gradient is not mentioned. (.4) on July 5, 1999, about 1510 hours PDT, a Cessna 177RG, N2175Q, operated by the pricate pilot, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain in the takeoff initial clim at Quincy, CA. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight operating under the provisions of 14 CFR part 91 and no flight plan WA filed. The flight was originating at the time as a cross-country flight to concord, CA. In his written statement, the pilot said he departed on runway 06 and during the intial climb he expereienced a downdra ft and settled into terrain just beyond the runway end. The Quincy/Gansner airport is located in mountainous terrain at 3,415 feet MSL. The runway is 4,100 feet in length with obstrcution considerations at both ends. Prior to departure, the pilot questioned a resident flight examniner as to how local pilots made their takeoffs under the current conditions. The examiner recommended runway 06. According to the flight examiner, teh wind was estimated to be 7-10 mph from teh southwest anmd the temperature inside the hangar sheltered from the sun read 81 degrees fahrenheit. He briefed the pilot on the airport conditions and recommended departing on runway 06. He also recommended that he not rotate prematurely. The examiner observed the airplane during the run-up and subsequent departure. He commented that the engine was missing and said this was probably due to the pilot not leaning the mixture for best power. He said the airplane accelerated very slowly and used most of the runway for takeoff. The wind was still less than 20 mph. After takeoff, about 100 feet AGL, he observed the airplane's nose pitch suddenly up, then it became obscured from his view by a tree. The pilot stated that he was 322 pounds under gross weight and within the weight and balance envelope. He calculated the density altitude to be 5,841 feet. The other conditions the pilot noted for the takeoff attempt was a temperature of 86 degrees fahrenheit and winds from 240 degrees at 6 to 8 knots. According to the pilot, by reference to the performance charts in the pilot operating handbook, he calculated that 2,100 feet of ground roll would be required for takeoff. According to the pilot, during the run-up check, he leaned the mixture for best power and set the flapsto 10 degrees. He taxied to and lined up with the runway centerline. He applied full power and stood on the brakes. The RPM was normal and the engine sounded good. He richened the mixture slightly to see if there was any effect on the engine performanace, and there seemed to be none. He was confident that the engien was putting out full power and that he was good to go. The airport/facility directory for Quincy/Gansner under airport remarks states "caution-due to proximity of terrain normal operations are: for departure/touch and go runway 06 only." (-23)see attached pilot report. On July 14, 1999, privacy data omitted received additional flight training from a certified flight instructor. This training included performance, density altitdue, wind and runway conditions. The training consisted of approximately 1/2 hour ground school and .8 hours flight time.