What happened
During a mission to provide voluntary relief for those affected by Hurricane Andrew, an aircraft crashed into a residential building located approximately one-half mile from the runway's departure end. The aircraft had been modified for cargo transport, with all passenger seats removed from the cabin area. According to eyewitness accounts, the plane utilized nearly the entire length of the runway before becoming airborne. Once in the air, the aircraft exhibited an unstable climb pattern before the impact occurred.
Findings
An investigation into the accident identified several critical factors. The aircraft was found to be 1112.2 pounds over its maximum gross takeoff weight at the time of departure. This weight discrepancy occurred because no scales were utilized during the cargo loading process. Additionally, the pilot in command lacked the necessary multi-engine rating on their certificate. The crash resulted in 3 fatalities among the occupants of the aircraft.