High-altitude operations are known to require extra care and attention. The thinner air reduces takeoff and climb performance when compared to sea level. While a turbocharger helps overcome reduced engine power, even it must be managed correctly to obtain maximum performance. Problems can arise if the crew doesn’t have much experience with high-altitude takeoffs and might not be exercising every precaution.
In such circumstances, pilots unfamiliar or inexperienced with turbocharged engine operation might be tempted to apply techniques for non-turbocharged engines at high altitude. That generally means leaning for best power at takeoff, although a turbocharged engine may not require leaning at most altitudes or, if it does, not nearly as much as a normally aspirated powerplant. It’s easy to get wrong, and that may be what happened to a Turbo Saratoga a couple of years ago.
