What happened
During a nighttime departure from Natchitoches Airport, an aircraft failed to climb adequately after leaving the runway. While operating in heavy fog, the plane struck a tree situated approximately 590 feet beyond the end of the runway. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. There were six fatalities among the occupants, which included the pilot and five passengers.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several environmental and physiological factors that contributed to the crash. The presence of fog and haze significantly reduced visibility, making it difficult to identify hazards ahead of the aircraft. Additionally, high obstructions were present in the flight path. A primary contributing factor was that the pilot failed to see and avoid trees during the climb. Further findings noted physical impairment due to the pilot's severe coronary artery disease and the fact that the pilot had traveled on foot from a nearby motel to the airport shortly before the flight.