What happened
During a takeoff roll in moderate snowfall, an aircraft experienced an unusually long ground run. Witnesses observed the wings of the plane rocking from side to side as it became airborne. Shortly after departing the runway, the aircraft struck trees approximately one mile from the end of the airstrip, leading to a crash and subsequent fire.
Findings
An investigation into the accident revealed that the aircraft was significantly overweight for the prevailing weather conditions. The plane was over its structural limit by 360 lbs and exceeded the maximum allowable weight for flight in icing conditions by 1,100 lbs. Furthermore, the pilot did not perform deicing procedures on the wings before departure. Post-accident analysis confirmed the presence of snow contamination on the upper surface of one wing, as well as on the elevators and horizontal stabilizers. No mechanical issues were identified regarding the airframe or the engine. The accident resulted in two fatalities.