What happened
The pilot initiated a takeoff roll on runway 16 under local wind conditions blowing from 270 to 290 degrees at 15 knots with gusts. The departure began from an intersection located 300 feet from the approach end of the runway. After lifting off, the aircraft climbed to approximately 25 feet above ground level before entering a left turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft continued to climb to roughly 100 feet AGL and subsequently collided with trees.
The investigation
Post-accident analysis included calculations regarding the aircraft's weight at the time of departure. These calculations indicated that the aircraft was at least 71 pounds over the maximum gross weight limit for takeoff. The weather data cited represents the official report recorded one nautical mile from the accident site.
Findings
The primary contributing factor to the accident was the excessive weight of the aircraft at departure, which compromised its ability to climb and maneuver safely after liftoff. The combination of being overweight and the subsequent left turn in low-altitude flight led directly to the collision with terrain obstacles.