SEA93LA169

The pilot reported that after a normal takeoff, the airplane was not capable of out climbing the rising terrain. There was not enough space to reverse course, so he elected to make an emergency landing on the available terrain. While landing on rough terrain, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that he was aware of the high density altitude, but because another airplane had taken off before his flight without any difficulty, he felt that his airplane would climb and clear the terrain. Performance data on the homebuilt airplane was limited, and the pilot was not sure of its capability. Elevation at the accident site was about 4000 feet and the temperature was 103 degrees. Density altitude was calculated to be about 8500 feet.

On August 1, 1993, at 1415 hours mountain daylight time, a homebuilt Murphy Renegade, N95HH, collided with the terrain and nosed over approximately five miles northwest of Guernsey, Wyoming. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The flight had taken off from Guernsey, and was en route to Sheridan, Wyoming.

During a telephone interview and subsequent written statement, the pilot reported that he had never before flown the airplane in a mountainous area at high altitude and high temperature. The take off was normal, however, the airplane would not climb sufficiently to clear the rising terrain. The pilot stated that he was aware of the high density altitude, but thought that the airplane would be capable of climbing and clearing the terrain as a Piper PA28-140 had taken off prior to his flight and had no difficulty. The pilot reported that the Murphy Renegade is equipped with a Teledyne Continental 95 hp, C-90 engine. The pilot also stated that performance data on the homebuilt airplane was limited.

The pilot opted to make a precautionary landing to an open area when he felt that the airplane would not clear the upcoming terrain.

The elevation at the accident site was approximately 4,900 feet. At the time of the takeoff, the pilot reported that he thought that the temperature was approximately 90 to 95 degrees. After the accident, the pilot found out that the actual temperature was 103 degrees. The altimeter setting was 30.25" Hg. The density altitude was calculated at approximately 8,500 feet.