Incident Overview
During a takeoff, the pilot observed that shortly after reaching an altitude of approximately 200 feet, the airspeed began to drop and the engine RPM started to decrease, an event described as 'winding down.'
Witness Account
A witness on the ground reported that the airplane did not rotate during the takeoff roll until it had traveled roughly three-quarters to seven-eighths of the way down the runway. Just before the collision with terrain, the witness noted the airplane's altitude was about 50 feet above ground level.
Post-Accident Examination
A thorough inspection of the aircraft following the accident revealed no evidence of any mechanical failure or malfunction that could explain the loss of airspeed and engine power.
Weight and Balance Findings
Subsequent weight and balance calculations indicated that the airplane was approximately 178 pounds in excess of its maximum gross weight at the time of the takeoff.