Accident Overview
Shortly after a night takeoff from Pittsburgh-Intl Airport, a twin-engine airplane encountered difficulties gaining altitude. The aircraft stalled and subsequently crashed in flames near the airport. The aircraft was destroyed in the impact and ensuing fire, and both pilots were killed.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the probable cause of the accident was inadequate preflight preparation on the part of the crew. The following factors were reported as contributing to the accident: misuse or failure to use flaps, failure to abort the takeoff, failure to maintain flying speed, failure to use all available runway, failure to retract the landing gear, a takeoff from an intersection with 4,400 feet of runway remaining, and having the flaps set to full down.