Incident Overview
Shortly after becoming airborne, while in the initial climb phase, the aircraft experienced a tail stall. The airplane subsequently lost altitude and impacted the ground near the departure runway end. The impact destroyed the aircraft.
Occupant Injuries
Of the eight occupants on board, five received slight injuries. Three individuals, among them the pilot, were seriously wounded.
Flight Details
The flight was destined for Pelée Island in Ontario. No other operational details, such as aircraft type, registration, or time of day, were specified in the official source.
Probable Cause
Investigation determined the probable cause to be inadequate preflight preparation by the pilot. The aircraft was improperly loaded, exceeding the maximum gross weight by approximately 300 pounds. Additionally, the center of gravity was located about 5 inches aft of the rear limit.