What happened
Nine members of a varsity basketball team boarded the aircraft, but the pilot did not obtain accurate weights for the passengers. The baggage was loaded into the aft baggage compartment. While the pilot was entering the cabin and closing the door, the tail of the aircraft struck the ramp with significant force. After raising the tail, the pilot decided to continue with the flight.
Following reboarding, the aircraft taxied to the runway and began its takeoff roll. As the aircraft climbed through approximately 200 to 400 feet AGL, the pilot announced a problem and instructed the passengers to move forward. At this stage of the climb, the nose of the aircraft was higher than normal, and the stall warning horn activated. The passengers moved as far forward as possible and remained in that position until after the aircraft had landed.
The investigation
A post-flight examination of the aircraft revealed damage to a stringer, the rear bulkhead, the elevator control tube, and the housing for the tail navigation light. Investigators found that no ballast had been installed in the forward baggage compartment. A recalculation of the aircraft's weight and balance, using the actual passenger weights, determined that the center-of-gravity was behind the aft limit.