What happened
Prior to departure, the airplane was fueled with 77 gallons of fuel at engine start, and the pilot was observed loading cargo. After receiving takeoff clearance, the aircraft rotated near the "Delta" intersection. Approximately 1 minute and 36 seconds after takeoff, the tower controller inquired if the pilot was experiencing difficulty; the pilot responded that she might have to circle.
Both a tower controller and an FAA employee observed the airplane porpoising at approximately 6,000 feet down the 9,000-foot runway while at an altitude of between 80 and 100 feet AGL. The crew of a U.S. Airways flight scheduled for takeoff noted that the aircraft never climbed higher than roughly 300 feet AGL and began drifting to the left. As the airplane approached the end of the runway, witnesses reported the engine sounded as if it were at full throttle while the plane continued to porpoise. One witness observed the engine surging, followed by a nose-up pitch and a left bank of approximately 45 degrees. The aircraft then pitched nose-down, impacting trees and the ground.
The investigation
An examination of the engine and flight controls showed no evidence of failure or malfunction prior to the impact. Testing of the fuel from the fueling facility confirmed it met all specifications.
Investigation into the cargo revealed that the forward baggage compartment contained approximately 244 pounds of weight, exceeding the 100-pound limitation. Additional cargo found scattered throughout the airplane or outside the aircraft weighed approximately 211 pounds. Due to the inability to determine the exact placement of all items, investigators placed all cargo not in the forward compartment into the aft baggage compartment for calculation purposes. Based on this, the airplane was approximately 8 pounds under gross weight at takeoff but was positioned more than 4 inches forward of the forward center of gravity limit.
Findings
- The forward baggage compartment was significantly overloaded, containing 244 pounds against a 100-pound limit.
- The aircraft's center of gravity was forward of the allowable limit at the time of takeoff.
- The pilot was engaged in carrying property for compensation or hire in violation of 14 CFR Part 119.5(g).