Background
The airplane was at maximum gross weight at the time of takeoff. The airport field elevation was 613 feet, and the density altitude was calculated at 3300 feet. Two runways were available: Runway 25, which was 6002 feet long with a slight headwind from the southwest, and Runway 35, which was 3320 feet long with a light quartering tailwind and crosswind from the left. The pilot selected Runway 35 for departure.
Sequence of Events
One witness reported observing the airplane flying at an altitude of 10 to 15 feet above ground level (AGL) approximately midway along the runway. The aircraft was in a slightly nose-high attitude but was not climbing. As it continued, the airplane descended below high voltage power lines and struck a large telephone cable. Immediately after the cable strike, the airplane descended almost vertically and impacted a highway, where it subsequently caught fire.
Damage
The airplane sustained substantial damage upon impact with the telephone cable and the highway surface. A fire ensued after the highway collision.