Departure and Maneuver
The pilot departed with the airplane operating near its maximum gross weight. During the initial climb, the aircraft cleared 50-foot-high trees located 75 feet beyond the departure end of the runway. Subsequently, the airplane executed a right 180-degree turn, during which it descended and collided with trees. At the time of the collision, the retractable landing gear remained in the extended position.
Engine Examination
Maintenance records indicated that the number 4 cylinder had been removed twice prior to the accident. The first removal occurred 295 flight hours before the accident due to low compression, at which time an exhaust valve was replaced. The second removal took place 76 flight hours before the accident, also due to low compression, and involved refacing the valves. Between these two removals, an annual inspection was performed on the airplane by the same maintenance facility that conducted the engine work. Post-accident examination of the engine revealed that the fuel injector nozzle for the number 4 cylinder was partially obstructed.
Landing Gear Issues
In the three months preceding the accident, pilots had documented the landing gear system on five separate occasions for failing to retract after takeoff. Despite these write-ups, the airplane continued to be operated. The most recent write-up occurred seven days prior to the accident and remained unresolved. After that write-up, maintenance was performed on the landing gear system, but the work was not recorded in the airplane's logbooks.