What happened
During a Part 135 cargo flight, the pilot initiated the takeoff roll but quickly noticed that the aircraft was not achieving a positive rate of climb. Recognizing the critical situation, the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff. However, the airplane continued to accelerate and could not be stopped within the remaining runway length. The aircraft overran the paved surface, crossed an adjacent field and roadway, and finally came to rest after striking a ditch. This impact caused structural failure, specifically separating the left wing from the fuselage.
The investigation
Post-accident examination of the airplane revealed significant mechanical deficiencies contributing to the performance loss. Four of the six cylinders were found to have inadequate compression, severely reducing engine power output. Additionally, pre-flight weight and balance calculations indicated that the maximum gross weight was exceeded, and the center of gravity was located aft of acceptable limits.
Findings
The combination of insufficient engine power due to low cylinder compression, excessive aircraft weight, and an aft center of gravity critically degraded takeoff performance. These factors prevented the airplane from climbing or stopping safely during the aborted takeoff roll.