Introduction
The pilot of an airplane reported that during the preflight inspection, ice and frost were noted adhering to the aircraft. Glycol was applied, and the frost was polished and brushed off. The engines were warmed before taxi.
Sequence of Events
The pilot elected to remain in the traffic pattern after takeoff "to clear the airplane of the ice, and to make sure everything was working properly." Before releasing the brakes, power was increased to confirm all engine indications were in the green. For the departure, the pilot "tried to baby the engines using a less than max power for the departure." Approximately three-quarters of the way down the runway, the tail of the airplane rose. Seeing the end of the runway, the pilot added more power, and the aircraft lifted off. The landing gear was retracted once a positive rate of climb was established. Shortly after gear retraction, the pilot stated, "I felt the airplane mushing, like a stall. I then added more power, but the aircraft kept mushing, and then it impacted terrain with power on both engines." The aircraft came to rest in an open field roughly one-quarter mile from the departure end of the runway.
Findings
Examination after the accident revealed that ice was still noted adhering to most of the airplane.