What happened
Following departure from Orlando-Herndon Airport, a twin engine airplane experienced significant struggles maintaining altitude. During the early stages of flight, the aircraft became uncontrollable and descended into a nearby field, where it caught fire upon impact.
There were three people on board at the time of the accident. The crash resulted in three injuries, with one individual sustaining serious wounds.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified that the primary reason for the loss of control during the climb was insufficient preflight checks and preparation. Several critical errors regarding the aircraft's weight and balance were noted as contributing factors:
- The aircraft was loaded incorrectly, affecting its center of gravity.
- The total weight of the plane was approximately 2,000 lbs over its maximum gross weight.