What happened
While attempting to depart from a runway covered in ice and slush, the pilot of a twin engine airplane initiated rotation before the necessary speed was achieved. This premature rotation prevented the aircraft from achieving sufficient lift to climb out of ground effect. Consequently, the plane remained on the surface and continued down the runway until it exited the paved area and struck bushes.
Despite the impact with the vegetation, all five occupants were able to exit the wreckage without serious harm. The accident resulted in minor injuries for those on board, though the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
Findings
Investigations into the incident identified several critical factors that led to the excursion. The primary cause was the pilot's decision to rotate the aircraft too early during the takeoff roll. Additional contributing elements included:
- The presence of ice and slush on the runway surface
- A failure by the pilot to initiate an aborted takeoff sequence
- The inability of the aircraft to transition into a climb due to the premature rotation