What happened
Witnesses at the airfield observed an aircraft attempting to depart on runway 36 under foggy conditions. During the initial climb immediately after lift-off, the aircraft pitched upward and rolled into a steep left bank. The plane then entered a descent and crashed on an approximate heading of 060 degrees. The impact site was located about half a mile northwest from the center of the airport, near the departure end of runway 36.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found no evidence of pre-impact part failure or mechanical malfunction. Weather data collected approximately eight miles west at Tampa, Florida, indicated scattered clouds at 25,000 feet with visibility of one and a half miles in fog at 0750. Witnesses at the accident site estimated local visibility was only half a mile in fog.
Findings
The pilot held a non-instrument rating and had logged only 4.3 hours of hooded flight time with no actual instrument experience. The combination of poor visibility and lack of instrument proficiency likely contributed to the loss of control.