What happened
During a period of dense fog with visibility restricted to less than 1/4 mile, a pilot and four passengers prepared for departure in a multiengine airplane. To avoid obstacles on the ramp during taxiing, the pilot had the aircraft towed from its hangar to the runway. Witnesses observed a standard engine run-up near the end of the runway, noting that the engines sounded normal. Although the aircraft was not visible due to the low visibility and 300-foot ceiling, video recordings captured the beginning of the takeoff roll, during which the tires made a sound suggesting a side load upon contact with the runway.
Shortly after the takeoff roll commenced, witnesses heard the aircraft impact the ground followed by an explosion. The wreckage was distributed in a manner indicating the plane rolled left past the runway end and struck the terrain in a nearly vertical, nose-low, and inverted position. A significant portion of the aircraft was destroyed by a post-crash fire.
Findings
Investigation into the accident revealed that the aircraft was approximately 105 lbs above its maximum takeoff weight, placing the center of gravity outside of the permitted envelope. This excess weight likely contributed to an extended takeoff roll and reduced climb performance. Additionally, the elevator trim tab and actuator were found to have moved beyond their full upward travel limits, with the trim cable showing evidence of tension overload.
While the engines showed signs of being at takeoff power during the impact, investigators concluded that the pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation upon entering instrument meteorological conditions, leading to the loss of control and subsequent impact with the ground.