What happened
The aircraft departed the airport but failed to gain sufficient altitude, striking trees and terrain approximately one-half mile south of the airfield shortly after liftoff. Witnesses on the ground observed the engine operating roughly during the initial climb phase. They also reported seeing black smoke trailing from the exhaust system as the plane was departing.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators examined the engine to determine the cause of the rough operation. The inspection revealed that the spark plugs were dark and covered in soot, indicating incomplete combustion or fouling. Despite these findings, the examination disclosed no evidence of mechanical failure or malfunction within the engine components.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to the accident were the engine's rough running condition and the resulting loss of performance during the critical takeoff phase. The presence of black smoke and sooty spark plugs suggests an issue with the ignition or fuel mixture, although no specific mechanical defect was identified that would explain the failure.