What happened
During a flight destined for Pelée Island, Ontario, an aircraft experienced a critical loss of control during its initial climb phase. Immediately following liftoff, the tail section of the airplane entered a stall, causing the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly. The plane subsequently crashed in the vicinity of the runway's end.
The accident resulted in three serious injuries, including the pilot, and five minor injuries among the occupants. The impact led to the total destruction of the aircraft.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several critical errors regarding the aircraft's configuration prior to departure. The primary contributing factor was improper loading and an excessive weight, as the plane was approximately 300 lbs over its maximum allowable gross weight. Additionally, the center of gravity was positioned roughly 5 inches behind the permitted aft limits. These issues were attributed to insufficient preflight preparation by the pilot.