Incident Overview
An airplane crashed into trees at the end of a runway after a problematic takeoff. Witnesses observed the aircraft during its takeoff roll, noting that it became airborne at least three times before finally lifting off. The accident sequence ended when the airplane struck trees near the runway's termination.
Witness Accounts
Several witnesses provided observations of the event. They stated that during the takeoff roll, the airplane lifted off the ground at least three separate times before settling back onto the runway. After the final lift-off, a pilot-rated witness described the airplane in an extremely nose-high attitude, with the engine sounding as though it was operating at a high power setting. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft impacted trees at the end of the runway.
Mechanical Examination
Post-accident examination of the engine and flight controls revealed no preaccident malfunctions. Investigators were unable to weigh the cargo due to its consumption during the postcrash fire. The absence of mechanical issues suggests that other factors may have been involved, though no causal link is established in the source.
Passenger Account
The surviving pilot-rated passenger reported that the engine lost power after the airplane lifted off. This statement contrasts with the witness description of the engine sounding at high power, but aligns with the eventual loss of control leading to the collision with trees.