That's a nasty one. Think he could have pulled it off by lowering the nose to gain a little more speed? He would have been inches from the tree tops if he didn't hit them, but pulling back on the yoke in that situation is futile.

High density altitude and overloading, thats bad enough. High density alititude, overloading, AT NOON: no doubt the thermals were starting to pop and a bit of unstable air at a very shaky takeoff point and a pilot slow (pun intended) to at least attempt to gain some speed........bad deal.

I have very little experience in the Bonanza so forgive me if this is a dumb question, but why did he not use any flaps on takeoff...especially if he was heavily loaded?

A sac.ca news crew was at that airport to get some witness reaction from a earlier aborted t/o,and was filming what was going to be a
normal t/o.
The plane had four adults,full fuel,and bags for a trip down to baja.
The airport has a good uphill gradient the direction they were going,but the other way has a hill about 1/8th of a mile away.
I also think they were trying to t/o downwind,if I recall corectly.

Hind sight is what it is,but a morning t/o sounds like a better option.

Be safe.C

lowflybye wrote:I have very little experience in the Bonanza so forgive me if this is a dumb question, but why did he not use any flaps on takeoff...especially if he was heavily loaded?

A normal takeoff in a Bo is no flaps. Flaps are only needed if the obstacle is close in, within about 3400 feet of the starting point. It is at the 3400 foot point that the no flap takeoff passes thru the altitude of the flap takeoff and with about a 50% greater rate of climb. The accident aircraft was over gross and exhibit A of why I would never buy a gadget that gives you a gross weight increase.