What happened
During a touch-and-go landing procedure, an aircraft struck several citrus trees approximately 1,200 feet past the runway threshold. The pilot reported that after touching down and applying takeoff power with flaps retracted, the aircraft lifted off with only 500 feet of runway remaining. While climbing at roughly 150 feet above ground level, the pilot attempted to retract the landing gear but observed the aircraft losing altitude.
The pilot described experiencing a sudden drop in airspeed and believed the plane was caught in a violent downdraft or windshear that prevented further climb. To protect the passengers, the pilot opted for a controlled crash into the trees. The aircraft traveled 150 feet through the vegetation and continued another 350 feet along the ground before coming to a complete stop. Despite the impact, all 11 occupants escaped the wreckage without injury.
A witness at the scene observed the aircraft departing with insufficient power, noting that the plane maintained a high nose attitude and low tail position before disappearing into the treeline.
Findings
Official investigations into the accident identified several contributing factors related to the pilot's actions during the initial climb. The findings concluded that the pilot made poor judgments regarding the takeoff, specifically noting that the liftoff was premature. Additionally, the investigation determined that the aircraft was operated with inadequate distance and at an airspeed below the required velocity for a safe takeoff.