Not knowing the exact figures of that particular airplane, it is hard to
tell, but I found a figure of 1063 pounds useful load at
http://www.raytheonaircraft.com/beechcraft/aircraft/pistons/bonanzag3...

1063-360-271 leaves 432 pounds for 4 people. 4 people at 170 pounds should
weigh 680 pounds. 432-680= -248 pounds overweight. 3650+248=3898.
3898/3650=1.0679 of the recommended maximum takeoff weight.

Is that a substantial amount overweight? It would seem like it, to me.
Especially at a temperature of 107 degrees.

How about you?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I ran the numbers through this calculator and it doesn't look like he
was over-gross:
http://www.csgnetwork.com/a36bonanzawbcalc.html

The density altitude was 4592 feet, which would have had some impact
on climb performance, but he still should have been able to climb at a
decent rate. I wonder if the prop control was set correctly for take-
off?