What happened
A pilot and five passengers flew to the Great Barrington Airport for the purpose of night skiing at a nearby area. Upon arrival, the occupants learned that the ski facility was closed and subsequently decided to fly to Pittsfield, MA, where ski areas remained open.
During the departure from runway 29, the aircraft collided with the top of a 60-foot tree located 493 feet from the end of the runway. Following this impact, the aircraft went out of control, struck additional trees, and crashed. This flight marked the pilot's first time operating at this airport.
The investigation
The investigation found no preimpact mechanical problems that would have contributed to the accident. However, calculations regarding the aircraft's weight and balance revealed significant discrepancies. The aircraft's gross weight was estimated at 3868 lbs, which exceeded its maximum certified gross weight of 3500 lbs. Additionally, the center of gravity was calculated to be 95.71 inches, exceeding the maximum aft center of gravity limit of 95 inches.