Background
Before the flight, the pilot received a weather briefing that included advisories for occasional instrument flight rules (IFR) conditions en route, en route turbulence, and a tornado watch located just east of the departure airport and moving east. Witnesses observed the pilot preparing for departure. The pilot appeared to be in a hurry. A male passenger told one witness that they had a limousine rented for 7:30 p.m. Witnesses did not see the pilot perform any actions that would be considered a preflight inspection.
Accident Sequence
The airplane departed on runway 18. Witnesses noted that the wind was strong, estimated at 20 knots gusting to 30–35 knots from approximately 310 degrees. This meant that the takeoff was conducted downwind. The engine sounded smooth during the takeoff roll. After rolling about 1,000 feet, the airplane began to hop as if rotation was attempted too early. It then lifted off immediately, banked at least 45 degrees to the left with the nose high, and veered left. The airplane went out of control in a slight nose-high, left turn, close to stall configuration, and appeared mushy. The flight lifted off the ground to about 5 feet, then the right wing dropped, almost striking the runway, followed by the left wing dropping. The airplane departed the runway to the left, traveled over the grass between the runway and the taxiway, struck a runway light, then a tree, and burst into flames.
Weather Conditions
The reported winds at a weather station 12 miles southeast of the crash site around the time of the accident were from 300 degrees at 23 knots with gusts to 30 knots. The pilot had been made aware of the tornado watch and other weather advisories prior to departure.