What happened
On a non-scheduled domestic cargo flight, a single-engine airplane was destroyed after impacting a fence and a levee during takeoff from runway 21. The pilot reported that approximately 10 seconds after liftoff, the aircraft began to descend. The plane impacted the levee at the end of the runway, skidded over, and came to rest on the opposite side.
The air traffic controller observed the aircraft backtaxi to the intersection of runway 2D and taxiway Golf, turn around, and begin its departure roll. The aircraft was seen rotating abeam the high-speed taxiway. At the time of the accident, winds were reported at 310 degrees at 6 knots, resulting in a calculated one-knot tailwind for runway 21.
Discrepancies were noted regarding the weight of the flight. While the pilot reported a cargo weight of approximately 350 pounds and a calculated takeoff weight of 2,974 pounds, the actual cargo removed from the wreckage weighed 608 pounds. This resulted in a post-accident calculated weight of 3,575 pounds, which was near the aircraft's maximum gross weight of 3,600 pounds. The calculated takeoff ground roll distance required was 2,200 feet, and the distance required over a 50-foot obstacle was 4,000 feet, with approximately 4,350 feet available at the intersection.
The investigation
The examination of the wreckage did not reveal any pre-impact anomalies or mechanical malfunctions. The pilot also reported that there were no mechanical issues with the airplane during the flight.