Accident Details
The accident occurred during the initial climb after takeoff. Witnesses observed the airplane on the takeoff roll and initial climb from a 4,670-foot runway, noting that the engine was sputtering, missing, and backfiring. One witness reported hearing "snap" and "pop" sounds from the engine, which drew his attention to the runway. He saw the accident airplane about midfield and described the engine as sounding like it was running lean.
The airplane lifted off and appeared to climb out slowly. The witness then heard the engine "snap" and "pop" again, occurring a couple of times with about 2 to 3 seconds between each cycle. The abnormal engine sounds stopped, and the airplane climbed for an additional 5 seconds before the nose pitched up about 10 degrees. Subsequently, the airplane developed a high sink rate with an increasing nose-up pitch attitude. Witnesses reported that the airplane remained in a nose-high, wings-level attitude until just before it dropped behind a tree line, at which point the right wing dropped and the airplane hit the ground.
Post-Impact and Investigation
A post-impact fire ensued, resulting in thermal damage to the cockpit and engine. An airframe and engine inspection and teardown were conducted, revealing no preimpact mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Investigators established that the owner, a private pilot, was seated in the right seat, while a commercial pilot was seated in the left seat. It could not be determined who was manipulating the controls at the time of the accident.
Toxicology Results
Toxicology tests on the commercial pilot showed levels of marijuana in the pilot's blood that indicated recent use, likely within the 8 hours prior to the accident.