What happened
During the initial climb phase immediately following liftoff, a single-engine airplane experienced significant difficulties maintaining altitude. The aircraft subsequently entered a stall and impacted trees located near the runway. The impact resulted in a post-crash fire. There was one person on board, and the pilot sustained fatal injuries during the accident.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified several critical issues regarding the aircraft's configuration and maintenance. The primary cause of the crash was determined to be a collision with trees during the early stages of flight, stemming from insufficient preflight preparations.
Key contributing factors included:
- The aircraft was loaded in excess of its maximum takeoff weight by 790 lbs.
- The center of gravity was positioned beyond the permitted aft limit.
- There were deficiencies noted in the maintenance and servicing of the equipment provided by the company.
- Improper loading procedures contributed to the loss of control during the climb.