What happened
During a departure from runway 06 at Gainesville Airport, a twin engine aircraft experienced a critical loss of control during its initial climb. While the aircraft had reached an altitude of approximately 200 feet, it transitioned into a nose-up pitch. This maneuver led to an aerodynamic stall, causing the plane to descend rapidly and strike the ground roughly 80 feet beyond the runway threshold.
The impact was followed by a significant explosion. The resulting post-crash fire and the force of the collision caused the total destruction of the airframe. There were 10 fatalities recorded among the occupants, with no survivors reported from the scene.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the aircraft's center of gravity was positioned too far aft, placing it outside of the safe operating limits. This condition was a direct result of improper loading procedures prior to departure. Additionally, investigators noted that the pilot failed to perform sufficient preflight planning and preparation to ensure the aircraft was configured safely for flight.