Accident Details
On December 28, 2020, at approximately 1945 central standard time, a Beech 65-A80-8800, registration N134BA, sustained substantial damage during an accident near Alexandria, Minnesota. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was conducting a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand cargo flight.
Pilot Report
The pilot reported performing a preflight inspection and finding the airplane free of frost. While loading cargo, he determined the airplane would exceed its maximum gross weight limit of 8,800 pounds and elected to remove one 120-pound package to remain under the limit. During takeoff, the pilot rotated the airplane between 82 and 85 knots. When the airplane reached an altitude of about 20 to 30 feet with the landing gear extended, it turned sharply to the right. The pilot applied aileron and rudder corrections. Within seconds, the airplane began to shake and entered a steep descent to the left, causing the left wing to strike the ground. The pilot did not hear a stall warning horn. After impact, the airplane bounced slightly to the right, and the right landing gear collapsed. The left wing sustained substantial damage. The airplane came to rest approximately 4,000 feet from the start of the runway and about 600 feet left of the runway centerline. The flaps were retracted, and the landing gear was in the down position.
Post-Accident Observations
According to the police report, the pilot told the responding officer immediately after the accident that there might have been frost on the wings. The airport manager, who arrived at the scene shortly after the accident, reported that all airplane surfaces were covered with frost.
Performance Data
A checklist found in the accident airplane listed a rotation speed of 83 knots for takeoff weights below 8,000 pounds and 96 knots for 8,800 pounds. The applicable Owner's Manual indicated a takeoff rotation speed of 96 knots at the maximum gross weight of 8,800 pounds. The stall speed chart showed that the maximum gross weight power-on stall speed with landing gear and flaps retracted was 91 knots, and with landing gear and flaps extended it was 78 knots. No stall speed chart was available for the configuration of flaps retracted and landing gear extended.