What happened
The pilot initiated a takeoff from an intersection on a runway where approximately 4,500 feet of pavement remained available. Lift-off occurred with roughly 2,700 feet of runway still remaining. Following rotation, the aircraft failed to gain altitude. During this phase, observers noted a low but smooth power output from the engine. The flight path continued over three nearby airfields that were reportedly suitable for emergency landings. The aircraft did not divert to any of these sites and subsequently collided with trees.
The investigation
The narrative focuses on the immediate sequence of events during the departure phase. Key observations include the specific runway lengths available at the time of takeoff and the performance characteristics heard during the climb attempt. No mechanical examination details are provided in the source text.
Findings
The primary contributing factor was the aircraft's failure to climb after takeoff. The pilot elected to continue the flight path over multiple adequate emergency landing fields rather than attempting an immediate landing. This decision-making process, combined with the initial performance deficit, led directly to the collision with terrain obstacles.