Flight Details
The airplane arrived at the departure airport the previous day, and the pilot requested refueling, receiving 45.2 gallons of fuel. On the day of the accident, the pilot, four passengers, and approximately 100 pounds of cargo were on board. The airplane taxied to the runway and departed to the north.
Accident Sequence
During the takeoff roll, about 800 feet from the departure end, the airplane became airborne briefly before settling back onto the runway. It continued down the runway, bounced a second time, and became airborne again. Once in the air, a stall-warning light and a stall-warning buzzer activated. Seconds later, both warnings ceased. The pilot-passenger seated in the right seat then stated, "oh no," and the airplane struck power lines. The pilot-passenger then stated, "looks like we are going to hit the house," and the airplane struck a 20-foot-high flagpole at the 8-foot level. The airplane continued into a wooded area before coming to rest and was consumed by a post-crash fire.
Weather Conditions
Weather reported from a nearby airport at 0553 indicated winds from 340 degrees at 3 knots, visibility of 1/4 statute mile with fog, a broken cloud layer at 100 feet, and an overcast ceiling at 600 feet.
Weight and Performance
The estimated weight of the airplane at the time of the accident was approximately 3,685 pounds. The published maximum gross weight for that airplane model was 3,400 pounds. Performance data for the airplane showed a normal takeoff roll of about 1,300 feet at the maximum gross weight of 3,400 pounds, with a rate of climb of approximately 930 feet per minute.