now, I haven't flown piston engine planes in about 27 years or so. but I do remember that taking off at a high density altitude sometimes requires the leaning of the mixture to optimize engine performance...I will bow to those who have actually flown this type to verify this. I've watched the video , on tv, again and the red mixture knob is fully forward.
There is something that many mountain flyers don't know...that is: where is the horizon?
most people point the nose up near the top of the mountains, when in reality, the horizon is near the base of the mountains. could our heroes have misjudged pitch, therefore speed and performance?
Look, it is very easy to say: it was too high and too hot to fly. easy enough and possibly true. but let's examine everything and someone out there might learn something.
topics for discussion:
dry microbursts
thermals
engine controls
dust devils