Incident Overview
According to passenger accounts, the flight departed from runway 3. The weather was described as "pitch black" with fog and mist. One passenger stated that after liftoff, the airplane climbed to approximately 20 to 30 feet and began a left banking turn. Soon after, bangs or thumping noises were heard. Another passenger estimated the airplane was airborne for about 30 seconds to a minute, and they believed the aircraft had turned left and was resting on the ground.
Wreckage Location and Examination
Examination of the accident site revealed the main wreckage was situated in a wooded area approximately 1,200 feet from the left side of runway 3 and about 4,500 feet from the runway 3 threshold. A debris path and a swath of freshly broken trees extended for 240 feet. Post-accident examination of aircraft components showed no evidence of any mechanical malfunction.
Pilot Background and Flight Preparation
The pilot's spouse estimated that the pilot went to sleep around 2330 the evening before the flight but did not know the time he awoke the next morning. According to air traffic control records, the pilot telephoned the Raleigh Automated Flight Service Station (AFSS) at 0313 on the morning of the flight. Passengers reported that when they each arrived at the airport around 0445, the pilot had the airplane ready for departure.