What happened
During a nighttime cargo operation departing from Windsor Locks-Bradley Airport, a twin engine airplane experienced an aerodynamic stall and subsequent impact with the ground. The flight was intended to proceed to Baltimore; however, shortly after takeoff, the aircraft lost control and crashed into a fire.
The single occupant of the aircraft, the pilot, was killed in the accident. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several critical issues regarding the weight and balance of the aircraft. It was determined that the plane was operating at 682 pounds over its maximum gross weight.
Several contributing factors were noted during the post-accident analysis:
- The cargo shifted position after the aircraft reached rotation speed.
- The aircraft had been loaded improperly for flight.
- Evidence showed that tie-down straps had snapped and certain rings were found in a disconnected state.
- Inadequate preflight preparation led to an uncontrolled collision with the ground during the early stages of the climb.