Accident Sequence
During a night takeoff from Atlanta-Fulton County-Brown Field Airport, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff procedure, but the decision was made too late. The aircraft overran the runway, struck trees, and crashed, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by fire, and the pilot sustained serious injuries.
Probable Cause and Contributing Factors
The probable cause of the accident was an overrun and subsequent collision with trees on takeoff after the pilot delayed action in aborting the takeoff.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- Inadequate preflight preparation
- Improperly loaded aircraft
- Lack of familiarity with the aircraft
- Dirty windshield, resulting in restricted vision
- The aircraft was at least 1,701 pounds over maximum gross weight
- Center of gravity was 7.6 inches aft of the aft CG limit
- The pilot had accumulated only 22 flying hours since a 35-year layoff
- Frost on a window
Pilot Experience
The pilot had accumulated 22 flying hours after a 35-year hiatus from flying.