What happened
During an attempt at an instrument departure, the N3281T, a single-engine aircraft, impacted the ground to the left of the extended centerline of runway 18. Observations indicated that the aircraft was climbing through an altitude of approximately 200 feet when it began a descent toward the terrain. The pilot was the only person on board the aircraft at the time of the accident and sustained one fatality.
Prior to the flight, while taxiing for takeoff, the airframe was not treated with deicing fluid. This occurred despite other aircraft parked on the same ramp undergoing deicing procedures before their departures. Environmental conditions at the time included fog and high humidity, with temperature and dew point readings of 26°F and 23°F, respectively.
Findings
Investigation into the accident revealed that the pilot failed to perform necessary deicing operations before takeoff. The presence of frost on the wings significantly compromised the aerodynamic performance of the aircraft. According to established aeronautical principles, even a thin layer of frost can disrupt airflow and lead to a critical loss of lift, which contributed to the loss of control during the initial climb phase.