What happened
During the initial phase of an attempted takeoff, the aircraft exhibited unstable behavior by skipping along the runway surface. The plane briefly climbed into the air for a few feet before settling back onto the ground. It then climbed again as the pilot decided to abort the takeoff procedure. Following this aborted attempt, the aircraft continued its forward momentum and overran the end of the runway. It crossed a nearby road and eventually came to rest after hitting a ditch, resulting in a nose-over position.
The investigation
A post-accident analysis focused on the loading conditions of the aircraft at the time of the incident. An estimated weight and balance calculation was performed to determine if the aircraft was within safe operating limits. The findings indicated that the aircraft was loaded significantly beyond its certified maximums. Specifically, the total weight exceeded the gross weight limit by approximately 280 pounds. Furthermore, the distribution of this weight placed the center of gravity outside the aft limit defined in the official center of gravity chart.
Findings
The primary factors contributing to the accident were related to improper loading and weight management. The aircraft was operating with a total weight that was 280 lbs over gross weight. Additionally, the center of gravity was positioned outside the aft limit of the approved envelope. These conditions likely contributed to the poor takeoff performance, including the skipping and inability to maintain controlled flight during the aborted attempt.