What happened
Following takeoff, an aircraft utilized the full length of the runway before successfully becoming airborne. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 300 feet above ground level. During this climb, the plane began to drift toward the right side of the flight path. The aircraft subsequently struck a group of trees located roughly one-third of a mile from the end of the runway. Evidence from the impact site, specifically the damage sustained by the trees, indicated that the aircraft was in a right bank at the moment of collision. Both propellers on the engine were found to have been rotating at the time of impact.
Findings
Investigations into the accident revealed that the aircraft was significantly overloaded. Weight calculations determined that the plane was at least 165 lbs over its maximum gross weight. This calculation did not account for the weight of the fuel that was on board prior to the final refueling. The pilot, who was the only person on board, was killed in the crash.