Accident
Shortly after departure, during the initial climb, the airplane collided with trees and terrain approximately 1,000 feet beyond the departure end of the turf runway. A witness, who is a certified pilot, reported that the airplane appeared to stall just before colliding with trees. The pilot stated that he noted a decreasing airspeed just before colliding with the treetops.
Investigation
Post-accident examination of the airplane by personnel from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Cessna Aircraft, and Textron Lycoming revealed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure. The investigation focused on the airplane's systems and structure, but no anomalies were identified that could explain the loss of control.
Pilot and Witness Accounts
The pilot's statement indicated awareness of decreasing airspeed prior to impact. The witness, a fellow pilot, observed the airplane's trajectory and characterized its motion as a stall before the collision. Both accounts align on the sequence of events leading to the accident.