Accident Overview
The airplane impacted terrain following a loss of control during takeoff. There were no known eyewitnesses who observed the takeoff or the accident. The person who dropped the pilot and passenger at the airport last saw the airplane as it began to taxi east on the ramp.
Witness Reports
Ear witnesses reported hearing an engine go to "full power" followed by the sound of an impact. These ear witnesses stated that horizontal visibility at the time was between 30 and 100 feet due to fog.
Pilot Actions
Prior to departure, the pilot called the automated weather observation (AWOS) at the departure airport and another airport. The pilot did not hold an instrument rating.
Wreckage Location and Path
The wreckage was located on airport property approximately 1,700 feet from the intersection of runways 13/21. Ground scars and the wreckage path leading to the main wreckage were on a heading of 264 degrees.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions recorded at the departure airport 4 minutes prior to the accident were: temperature 8 degrees Celsius, dew point 8 degrees Celsius, visibility 1/4 mile with fog, and a 100 feet indefinite ceiling. The Transport Canada Carburetor Icing Chart indicates that serious icing at any power setting was possible with the reported temperature and dew point spread.