What happened
During a scheduled night departure, a flight carrying five passengers and baggage attempted to take off from an unlit runway covered in uneven, rough snow. During the initial takeoff roll, the aircraft type experienced two bounces before becoming airborne. However, the aircraft was unable to establish a proper climb. As the plane approached the end of the runway, it began drifting toward the left. Despite the pilot applying full right aileron to correct the deviation, the aircraft continued its leftward path across the runway threshold.
The aircraft eventually came to rest in a region of tundra and snow located approximately 100 yards south of the runway threshold, where it nosed over. At the time of the incident, civil twilight had ended one minute prior, and the sun had set 48 minutes earlier. The airport's official directory noted that the facility was unattended and that night operations were prohibited for non-rotary wing aircraft. Additionally, the directory warned that the runway condition was unmonitored and that safety areas were soft and eroded.
Findings
An inspection of the engine and the airframe following the accident showed no mechanical issues that would have prevented the plane from operating normally. Because there were no identified failures in the flight controls or the engine, the investigation concluded that the pilot failed to maintain control during the takeoff roll and the early stages of the climb.