What happened
During preparations for departure, the aircraft was subject to significant accumulation of wet snow. While the pilot attempted to clear the airframe, a specific section remained unreachable for manual removal. As the aircraft underwent engine runups and taxiing, heavy snowfall continued. Air traffic control notified the flight crew that visibility had dropped to 1/8 mile due to the combination of fog and snow, which was below the established takeoff minimum of 1/2 mile for the operator.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot applied increased throttle, which resulted in a noticeable increase in engine MAP. Despite no reports of engine roughness or mechanical issues from witnesses, the aircraft exited the runway surface. The plane traveled across the terrain, striking a snowplow located approximately 150 feet to the left of the runway. Following this impact, the aircraft crossed an embankment and came to rest in an inverted position.
Findings
Post-accident inspections revealed ice and snow present on the upper tail surface. The elevator trim was set to a full nose-down position, and the aileron trim indicated a left bank. Investigations determined that inadequate removal of ice and frost from the aircraft was a primary contributing factor. Additional factors included operating in weather conditions below established minimums, disregard for IFR procedures, and the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during the initial climb. The accident also involved a collision with a ground vehicle and occurred during low-light night conditions.