What happened
During a night departure from Madison Airport, a twin-engine aircraft experienced significant challenges maintaining altitude. While attempting to climb, the plane made contact with treetops and subsequently crashed into a nearby forested region. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. Both members of the flight crew sustained fatal injuries in the accident.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several critical factors that led to the collision. The primary cause was determined to be the crew's failure to properly assess their altitude and the available clearance during the climb. Several environmental and mechanical conditions contributed to the event:
- Significant obstacles were present along the flight path.
- Trees located approximately 50 feet above ground level were positioned 2,300 feet from the runway exit on the departure heading.
- The aircraft's landing gear was still in the process of being retracted during the encounter with the trees.