Visual Flight Rules Departure Ended in Collision with Tree and Power Line (N8135Q)

Weather and Departure Conditions The pilot received weather briefings the day before departure and again 1.5 hours before departure. The flight departed under visual flight rules. A pilot-rated witness indicated that fog at the departure end of the runway was lower than at the approach end. ## Sequence of Events After takeoff, the airplane immediately entered the fog in a wings-level, gear-down configuration. The pilot contacted air traffic control to request an instrument flight rules clearance. The communications lasted about 25 seconds in total. During that period, the right wing collided with a tree located about 29 feet above ground level and about 1 nautical mile from the departure end of the runway. The airplane then struck a power line and the ground. ## Technical Findings Sound analysis indicated that each propeller rpm was near full rated rpm during the three separate communications. Examination of the engines, propellers, flight control systems, and vacuum system and instruments revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction.