What happened
During a local flight intended for parachute jumping activities, an aircraft carrying the pilot, an observer, and 12 parachutists departed from runway 18. Witnesses observed that after the initial takeoff, the engine power was adjusted to climb power and the landing gear was retracted. As the plane reached an altitude of approximately 150 feet, the nose pitched upward, followed by a left roll. The aircraft then entered a steep left bank with a nose-down attitude, resulting in a crash into the ground.
Findings
An investigation determined that the aircraft type was loaded significantly beyond its maximum allowable gross weight and exceeded the aft center of gravity (CG) limits. Calculations indicated that even with an empty fuel tank, the aircraft would have been approximately 580 lbs over the maximum permitted weight. If the aircraft had been carrying 100 gallons of fuel, the estimated gross weight would have reached roughly 9,939 lbs, while the maximum certified gross weight was only 8,750 lbs. Furthermore, the CG was estimated at 121 inches, surpassing the aft limit of 117.6 inches. Although the aircraft sustained heavy damage from a ground fire, no mechanical issues were identified prior to the impact. The investigation concluded that the aircraft was severely overloaded, leading to an uncontrolled stall and loss of control during the initial climb phase.
There were 13 fatalities recorded following the impact.