What happened
While performing a takeoff roll, the crew initiated the retraction of the undercarriage after traveling 1,058 feet from the start of the roll. Following this action, the aircraft type lost altitude and settled onto the runway surface. During this descent, both engines made contact with the ground. The loss of control led to a subsequent crash involving fire. There were five fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the primary factor was the premature retraction of the landing gear. The crew failed to abort the takeoff sequence despite the aircraft not having reached the necessary distance for flight. Data indicates the aircraft required a ground roll exceeding 1,525 feet to safely lift off, yet the propellers struck the runway at the 1,058-foot mark.